Young Shakespeareans head for London

Two young Hibiscus Coast actors will head to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London as part of the NZ Young Shakespeare Company – an opportunity they are grabbing with both hands.

Thomas Smith of Silverdale, 18 and Duncan Macintyre of Manly, 17, both aspiring actors, became friends after meeting when they were performing in musicals at Centrestage Theatre.

Both are passionate about Shakespeare and say for their generation, the plays remain relevant thanks to the Pop up Globe theatre, and a modern edge or quirkiness in the productions that can come from things such as the introduction of Te Reo.

While Thomas loves the beauty of the language, Duncan says getting the story across through his performance, “even though 99 percent of the time the audience doesn’t know what you’re saying” is the best part of being in a Shakespeare production.

Connecting with the audience, they agree, is the reason they both hope to further their acting careers – Thomas in theatre and Duncan in film.

Thomas’ Shakespeare portfolio to date includes some gender swapping roles – Thisby in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Rosaline in As You Like It at Orewa College – but it was playing the lead in Richard III in a National Schools Shakespeare Production last year that was a standout for him. The show won Best Historical Performance in the University of Otago Sheilah Winn competition.

Seventeen-year-old Duncan, who was introduced to Merchant of Venice by a teacher at Intermediate school, went on to act in and direct a number of Shakespeare plays at school, winning Best Actor in the regionals of the Sheilah Winn competition for his part in a piece from Coriolanus when he was in Year 13. The pair met up again when both were chosen for the NZ Young Shakespeare Company, which travels to London in July for workshops, culminating in a free public performance at The Globe theatre.

It is an expensive exercise, especially for two students. To raise funds for the trip, Duncan and Tom are looking for sponsorship. If you can assist, email duncan.macintyre2002@gmail.com