Young actors of all backgrounds, race and physical ability met in Dunedin yesterday to show off how well they could portray the works of Shakespeare.
More than 40 thespians met at Logan Park High School yesterday for the National Shakespeare Schools Production, run by Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand.
The performances yesterday and tonight are the culmination of a weeklong series of training workshops.
Pupils were selected from across the country, including Kyren Andrew (17), of Whangarei, a blind actor taking on the role of Othello.
Kyren said there were some challenges in taking to the stage while blind, but they could all be overcome.
The stage gets mapped out and he would memorise each step and location.
‘‘It all comes down to communication.’’
He enjoyed how Othello was a tragic hero who started noble and selfless, but became led astray by Iago’s manipulation.
Othello was also tribal, a quality which Kyren could relate to as someone with Maori heritage, he said.
He would sometimes feed that heritage into his portrayal to relate more to the character.
As a big fan of swords Kyren also just enjoyed playing a warrior, he said.
Shakespeare Globe Centre NZ chief executive Dawn Sanders said the thespians would portray scenes from Othello, Twelfth Night and Henry IV Part 2.
Half the troupe would be selected and progress on to the Globe Theatre in London.
