Open for entries: Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize
Competition Details
Shakespeare study at both post-16 and degree level often involves paying close attention to screen productions and this year’s Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize encourages just such a performance approach.
2019 Essay Requirements
The competition for 2019 has two options:
Option 1
Write a close comparative analysis of between 1200 and 1500 words, focusing on one scene from a Shakespeare tragedy and the equivalent scene in of these named film or television versions:
Hamlet (dir. Michael Almereyda, 2000)
Othello (dir. Oliver Parker, 1995)
King Lear (dir. David Eyre, 2018)
Before submitting your piece, please ensure that:
- It is in the form of a Word Document, headed with your name and school
- It is sent as hard copy, accompanied by a coversheet (68kb) signed by your teacher
- It focuses on one sequence only from one of the films named above
- It specifies timings for the chosen sequence
- It is written entirely in your own words
- It references any quotations from secondary sources (e.g. critics / reviewers)
- It provides act and scene references for quotations from the Shakespeare text
- It is no more than 1500 words (please write the word count at the foot of your work)
Option 2
Write a review of between 1000 and 1200 words, crafted with a sixth-form reader in mind, exploring in what ways a Shakespeare film adaptation of your choice throws interpretive light on the source play. The chosen film must have a screenplay which was originally written in English.
Before submitting your piece, please ensure that:
- It is in the form of a Word Document, headed with your name and school
- It is sent as hard copy, accompanied by a coversheet (68kb) signed by your teacher
- It focuses on one film adaptation of your choice
- It gives details of the title of your chosen film, as well as its director and release date
- It is written entirely in your own words
- It references any quotations from secondary sources (e.g. critics / reviewers)
- It provides act and scene references for quotations from the Shakespeare text
- It is no more than 1200 words (please write the word count at the foot of your work)
What the judges are looking for:
- Original, creative thinking
- A clear, straightforward writing style
- A clear structure, which enables the reader to follow the main ideas easily.
Entries should be sent to:
Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize Competition,
The English Association,
University of Leicester,
Leicester,
LE1 7RH.
Closing date for entries: 1st September 2019.