SEVEN schools are preparing to woo judges with their Jamaican adaptations of Shakespearean plays in the upcoming grand finale of the JN Shakespeare Schools Championship at The Little Theatre in St Andrew, on September 19.

Waterford High, Campion College, Ardenne High, the American International School of Kingston (AISK), the Wolmers’ Trust, Glenmuir High, and a combined Kingston College and St Hugh’s cast, are the contending schools, following the July elimination, which showcased the productions of 17 schools from across the country.

“The performances in the elimination rounds were superb and of excellent theatrical quality, therefore, we’re expecting truly memorable and world-class entertainment on September 19, as the actors and directors refine their productions,” said conceptualiser Dr Tony Sewell.

“It’s really going to be a tough decision for the judges,” he quipped.

The competitors were tasked with adapting the Shakespearean plays to a Jamaican context in a 30-minute production. However, they had to maintain the form and structure of the language in which the plays were written. The plays will be judged based on the interpretation, characterisation, design and technical management of the 30-minute productions.

Some of the country’s finest actors, theatre professionals and playwrights have been “mentoring” the productions, including the casts and directors, providing advice and guidance. They include the Grand Dame of local theatre, Leonie Forbes; actor, Andrew Brodber; playwrights, Aston Cooke, Rayon McLean and Robert, Bobby Clarke; as well as, The University of the West Indies lecturer, Dr Brian Heap, who is the chief mentor.

The judges are: veteran broadcaster, lecturer and actress, Fae Ellington; the Director of the School of Drama at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Eugene Williams; actor and chairman of the School of Drama, Paul Issa; as well as actor and playwright, Alwyn Scott.

The winning school will jet off to the United Kingdom in 2016 where they will they join the Royal Shakespeare Company and tour with their production to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of the legendary English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare.

The drama competition, a first-of-its-kind for Jamaican schools and audiences, was launched in February. It is the brainchild of British philanthropist Dr Tony Sewell, chief executive officer of Generating Genius, with full sponsorship by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS).