By Danielle Clark

During the week of October 15th, six senior schools performed six abridged versions of Shakespeare’s plays during the Sixth Annual Bermuda Shakespeare Festival.

The schools included: Saltus Grammar School, CedarBridge Academy, The Bermuda High School, The Berkeley Institute, Warwick Academy and Somersfield Academy. Each performance limited to 45 minutes.

This festival takes place to encourage young Thespians (actors and actresses) to continue the tradition of performing Shakespeare’s great plays. BSSF (Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival) also provides five scholarships for students who have participated in the event over the years.

On Tuesday, October 15th, The Berkeley Institute, under the direction of drama teacher Ms. Shalane Dill performed their rendition of Othello. The play centres around a cross racial marriage between the Moor, Othello and a beautiful white woman named, Desdemona.

Through treachery the villain, Iago, is able to convince Othello that his wife has cheated on him with his lieutenant, Cassio. Othello soon finds out their innocence, but not before he had Lago murder Cassio, and strangled Desdemona with his own two hands.

Berkeley’s all female cast wowed the audience with their fast paced performance and excellent stage presence, props and costumes. The performance conveyed the raw emotion that the characters were experiencing, and had the viewers on the edge of their seats from the very beginning. In addition, this production was largely student run, which was a requirement to participate in the Festival.

It made me proud to be a Berkeleyite!

The cast was comprised of various year levels.

CAST AND CREW:

Roderigo: Zahra Gibbons

Iago: Caitlin Renaud

Brabantio: Amali Smith

Othello: Tamia Grant

Officer/ Gratiano: Kimika Jackson

1st Senator/ 2nd Gentleman: Jade Simons

2nd Senator/ 2nd Gentleman: Dazhja Greaves

Desdemona: Katrina Moran

Montano: Faheemah Scraders

Cassio: Jadeja Regis

Emilia: Maria Reyes-Sosa

Bianca: Dazha Dillas

Lodovico: Jahzuena Bradshaw- Douglas

Duke: Tajah Butterfield

Extras: Lady Carmela Robinson, Jahmila Smith, Jordan Bascome, Quincee Dill, Brianna Bean

Stage manager: Waverley Moran

Assistant stage manager: Kameyah Jones-Mussenden

Stage hands: Bria Harrison-Mendes, Brittany Haley, Shavoy Mullings