Oakham School pupil wins ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition

Theatrical skills have landed a school pupil a national performing prize.

Charlie Piper, from Oakham School, was named the winner of the ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition 2024, topping almost 2,000 pupils from schools across England and Wales.

Friday’s grand final took place at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, in London, where Charlie won it with a powerful rendition of Hamlet’s soliloquy from Act I, scene ii.

The competition aims to encourage pupils, aged 11 to 14, to explore Shakespeare's language, and to foster a love for literature and performance, with each participant asked to introduce their piece with a short speech.

Charlie spoke of his interest in the character’s grief and struggles with mental health.

“This piece is really important because of the issue of men’s mental health,” he explained.

He cited Hamlet’s ‘complex thoughts’, feelings of ‘wanting to disappear after the death of his father’.

Author and Shakespeare specialist Dr Victoria Sparey was among the judging panel.

Dr Sparey said she had seen many performances of Hamlet, but particularly enjoyed Charlie’s ‘fresh’ and ‘emotional’ take on the character.