Ottawa Branch - Shakespeare

SHOP 2010 will be held in the Auditorium of the Ottawa Public Library on November 23rd

An Application Form and the Judging Criteria are available as Adobe documents.

Invitation

The English-Speaking Union of Canada, Ottawa Branch, once again cordially invites high school teachers and their students to participate in our Annual Shakespeare on the Platform (SHOP) competition. It is scheduled to take place as previously in the Auditorium of the main Ottawa Library at the corner of Laurier Avenue and Metcalfe Street, on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010, from 6pm until 9pm. In order that we may start the competition promptly at 6pm we ask that all competitors arrive by 5.45pm.

The format is as for previous years; students will present one of Shakespeare's Sonnets and a Soliloquy, each of their own choice. They will be judged by experienced adjudicators who will award points based upon a number of criteria as shown in the accompanying form. Bursaries of $350, $250, $150 and $50 will be awarded to the top four competitors with the highest accumulation of points, while all competitors will receive certificates in recognition of their participation.

Each competitor will be introduced and asked to announce the Sonnet and Soliloquy that they have selected.

Teachers, friends and relatives of the competitors are all cordially invited to attend. Light refreshments will be available and there is no charge for admission.

Teachers are asked to submit the names of their competitors together with their selection of Sonnet and Soliloquy by Friday, November 12th, to our Branch Secretary by e-mail providing the information on the accompanying registration form, or mail the completed form to:
      ESU Ottawa, Box 23079. Ottawa ON K2A 4E2.

Time permits the participation of only twelve competitors. Whether we can accept more than one competitor per school will be determined based upon the number of applications that we receive, so please list your students in order of priority. Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received. An early indication to our Secretary of your school's intention to participate would certainly be appreciated.

We look forward to hearing from you and hope very much that your school can participate.

Don Macpherson, President

2009 Competition

For SHOP’s 18th year, the Ottawa Public Library provided us with their auditorium. With its low stage and raised seating, this made an excellent setting for an audience of over 50 and provided the right atmosphere for intimate theatre.

Kerry McInnes, Lisgar Collegiate, gained first place with Sonnet 55, “Not marble nor the gilded monuments ..” and, from As Your Like It, the epilogue, delivered by Rosalind. Elana Moscoe and Charlotte van Walraven, both of Nepean H.S. shared second place. Kerry is the first winner of the Barbara B. Young Trophy. Mrs. Young directed the SHOP program for its first 16 years.

The Rudy Sladen Memorial Shield has been the trophy for the past 16 years. Rudy and Cynthia Sladen were Treasurer and Membership Secretary in the ‘70s and ‘80s and could always be counted on to take on additional tasks. Their particular interest was in the ESU’s Youth Programs. Nepean H.S. returned the shield after holding it for the past year, the fourth year in succession. The shield was retired and as Nepean H.S. appeared five times, more than double any other school, it was presented in perpetuity to Caroline Coltman, Head of Arts at Nepean H.S., in recognition of the successes of her students.

The Judges were Prof. Douglas Campbell, an ‘old friend’ of SHOP, and Fanny Gilbert-Collet a graduate student in fine arts at the University of Ottawa. Our thanks to both of them and we were pleased to present them with a gift, courtesy of the Library.

Nepean H.S. brought a full team. Flanking Caroline Coltman (holding the Rudy Sladen Trophy) are (l to r) Jordan Tessier, Charlotte van Walraven, Elana Moscoe and Charlotte Newton.

Ottawa Branch has organized a "Shakespeare on the Platform" (SHOP) competition for High School students each year since 1994.
The students are expected to recite a sonnet and deliver a soliloquy or monologue on a bare stage and with no costume or props.
Judging is on presence, understanding, clarity and accuracy.
There are usually two judges (sometimes three) from the theatre or academia.

Schools that have entered students in past competitions, include:
 

A copy of a recent program is available as a .pdf file