Overview

“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."

2022 Essay Requirements

The competition for has two options:

Option 1

Write a close comparative analysis of between 1200 and 1500 words, focussing 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)

Richard III (dir. Richard Loncraine, 1995)

The Tempest (dir. Julie Taymor, 2010)

Twelfth Night (dir. Trevor Nunn, 1996)

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 accompanied by a coversheet 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”

Age:

The competition is open to any sixth form student of English literature.

Deadline:

1st September 2022