28 October 2016

Performance of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’

On 28 October 2016 Ying Wa was transported to Shakespeare's Italy when eighteen students, including cast and managers, put on a performance of 'The Taming of the Shrew' for an enthralled audience. It was a great opportunity for both the performers and the audience to appreciate the Bard's relevance to the 21st century.

The atmosphere was set for the play with an introduction to Shakespearean music during the Ying Wa Good Show at lunchtime a few days before. It was a good collaboration between different committees to bring a refreshing cultural experience and a fine musical treat to the campus.

An actress in the production described it as "an eye-opening experience" and relished every minute of their two-month long rehearsals because they learnt how to modulate their voices and use gestures to enhance their performance on stage. The group had a huge boost of confidence with their win at the Drama Festival last year. They were more than happy with this opportunity to share with their schoolmates what they had learned. However, the OLE activity also included new material specially adapted for the cast and the audience. Not only did students get to hone their dramatic skills, but they also became more sensitive to the English language.

A spin-off from this drama is a series of sharing on Shakespearean English in the coming months. Listen out for these, and be amazed by how much Shakespeare influenced the way we speak today.

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