BATTLE OF THE BARDS 2026

Be Bold. Be Brave. Be the Bard!

Apply Now

Relive the excitement of last year’s event

Are you ready to showcase your talent?

Join us for the ‘Battle of the Bards’, a vibrant and inclusive performance competition designed just for you! Whether you’ve acted before or this is your very first time, this is your chance to express yourself, grow your confidence and unleash your creativity through the timeless works of Shakespeare.

What’s It All About?

In this competition, you’ll become both performer and director by acting out a short scene. A monologue (solo) or duologue (with a partner). We keep things simple with a ‘black box’ style performance:

No costumes
No sets
One prop is allowed (but only if you feel it helps tell your story)
You may also use a chair, if needed for your scene

This minimalist style puts the spotlight on your voice, movement, and imagination, not on fancy props or costumes. It’s all about how you bring the words to life with the power of your voice, movement, and storytelling.

Want to test your skills in treading the boards? S4A is proud to announce ‘Battle of the Bards’. A dramatic performance competition that requires the performer/performers to be YOUR own director to bring alive some of the most significant theatre pieces ever written by the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. This is about YOUR interpretation and how YOU believe the script should be performed. Battle out against OR with your buddies and show Hong Kong how much talent you have.

This is acting and storytelling at its mesmerising best. Finalists will have the opportunity to perform before a panel of professional judges from the field of performance and literature. If you love performing and believe you have talent, this is your opportunity to make yourself heard. Look at the scripts below, to find the best script for you!

If you love performing and believe you have talent, this is your opportunity to make yourself heard. Download scripts

HOW TO APPLY

Participants should be aged between 8 and 18 years old.

Step 1: Apply

By 20 January 2025

Fill out the online application form and pay the entry fee to secure your spot.

Step 2: Submit Your Audition Tape

By 27 January 2025

After applying, you’ll send in a short video audition of your chosen monologue or duologue (using one of our official scripts). You can film it anytime, anywhere, just be yourself and show us your creativity, effort, and love for storytelling.

Step 3: Semi-Finals –
More Stage Time for Everyone

3 February 2025

If your video audition meets the basic requirements (clear effort, understanding of the piece, and readiness to perform), you’ll be invited to take part in the live Semi-Finals.

The Semi-Finals will take place in a rehearsal room at the Xiqu Centre, in the style of a closed audition. You’ll perform your piece in front of a panel of professional judges, without a live audience.

Step 4: Final Battle

1 & 2 March 2025

From the Semi-Finals, a group of standout performers will be selected to move on to the Final Battle — a special live showcase at the Xiqu Centre Atrium.

Rules

There are no costumes allowed - only theatre blacks
1 prop and 1 chair limit for Monologue and Duologues
3 props and 3 chairs limit for Ensemble performances

Judging Criteria

Participants will be judged based on criteria such as artistic expression, confidence, English proficiency, resilience, problem-solving skills, and self-esteem. Judges will evaluate how effectively students communicate their creativity, adapt to challenges, and demonstrate self-assurance during their performances.