For the 35th time, schools around the country – 18 and counting – have spent the past few months hard in practise for the most anticipated drama event of any drama enthusiast's year.
Six girls' schools and twelve boys' schools come together over the next two weeks to pay tribute to the greatest playwright in English Literature. The girls will compete on Tuesday for the four top positions which would enable them to qualify for the finals. The boys will compete on Tuesday.
The Shakespeare Drama Competition – referred to by many as the launching pad of most actors and actresses who intend pursuing a life on the stage. From the initial editing of the script, to auditions, rehearsals, designing stage sets and costumes, to backstage work, the students handle it all.
After all the hard work though, and the months of toiling, seeing efforts devalued, discredited and sometimes blatantly ignored, many schools have decided to give the competition a miss this year.
This is not because these schools did not win the overall competition – for them, simply having the opportunity of getting up on stage and dramatizing Shakespeare's works – as well as learning and having fun in the process – is what matters to them. Winning is an added bonus.
Why then, have they pulled out this year? Possibly because of the problems – and occasional injustices they have encountered over the years.
Each school has had many – sometimes without even realising it. Take last year's competition. At the culmination of the event, contestants and audience alike were shocked at the fact that, for the first time in years, judges did not provide any sort of advice or feedback on the dramas. If the whole point of the competition is that contestants are given the chance to learn from their mistakes as well as learn something new from people far more experienced and qualified than themselves, advice from the judges is no more or less than what they deserve. If the judges are competent and able to justify their decisions, this should not be too much of a problem.
"This is something we intend to rectify this year," said Mr. Dulip Jayamaha – Director, Vocational Services of the Rotary Club, Colombo North – one of the organising bodies of the competition. "The students have every right to have their work commented on and we will ensure that the judges give a proper analysis of the plays this time around. That is the whole purpose of the competition; to educate youth on the English Language and the importance of drama."
Another issue raised is that of the judges themselves. Apart from being qualified, they also need to be completely impartial. Would judges who have been a part of the local drama scene for many years, in fact be 100% impartial?
Obviously, there would be difficulties. "As all judges do have reasons to be partial, why not invite the Trinity College of London and Guildhall Judges to be on the panel? They are in the country from August to October for exams and are qualified in this field," commented Sharika Jayewardene, past Director of winning teams, teacher – drama and English Literature. "I for one had a nasty experience with one particular judge at a competition."
These are just two of many issues raised by those involved over the past few years. However, rather than simply complaining about what went wrong the previous time and what has gone wrong in the past, it is time the students themselves realised that without them, there would not be a Shakespeare Drama Competition and as a result, they should have a say in how things work in order to ensure fair play in all aspects of the competition.
The two organising bodies – the YMCA and the Rotary Club, before each competition, issue a set of rules for the competition, with regard to preparation and performance at semi-final and final level. "We have no way of monitoring which schools contravene the rules in any way," explained Mr. A. J. P Wijesinghe – the General Secretary of the YMCA. "We would never know if a school has, for instance, gone against the rules by getting professional training for their drama. "However, despite possible challenges in implementing this rule, the rule is in fact stated very clearly in the list of rules of the competition. It says – "The cast must be directed and trained by a member of the staff of the school. Qualified outside persons may be consulted if needed (Whose name must be notified to the organisers) but may not direct or train."
Leaving aside the committee ensuring that the rules are adhered to, it is also of importance that the schools themselves maintain their integrity and do an honest job.
The Shakespeare Drama season officially kicks off on Tuesday. Hopefully this time, all involved would realise the need for change and start implementing without simply complaining.
Forgetting the injustices and petty politics sometimes seen in the competition, the Shakespeare Drama Competition is nothing short of an awesome event for participants and for the audience. Hoping for a positive change where it is needed, here's looking forward to a competition which will still inspire, teach and entertain – something that it has always done.
Tickets for the show priced at Rs. 100/- per session, are available at the YMCA, and at the Lionel Wendt on the day of the performance.
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