Shakespeare in Bermuda shorts is one of the treats to be had this evening when the Bermuda Shakespeare Schools Festival kicks off at The Berkeley Institute.The special three day festival has been running for several years and allows high school students in the private and public sector to experience the joy of performing the plays of William Shakespeare before a real audience. The goal is to encourage interest and further support in the dramatic arts in Bermuda. Tonight, The Bermuda High School will perform ‘The Twelfth Night’ and Somersfield Academy will perform ‘The Tempest’.Somersfield Academy English teacher Charlie Judd said it was a special experience to be helping students to perform a play that was originally inspired by the accidental settlement of Bermuda in 1609.“We have taken part in the festival for the last four years,” said Mr Judd. “I think when we first introduced ‘The Tempest’ the students found it strange. It is not like the other plays we have done, which were more straight ahead comedies with relationships, and not a lot of spirits. I don’t think the kids were that positive about it, at first. But eventually, the connections started to come together.”He said he enjoyed the team work and camaraderie between the schools during the festival.“It is framed as though it is a competition but it doesn’t feel like that,” he said. “All the schools work really hard to put together the best production they can. We get feedback from assessors on the night. They never say this school is better than that school. It feels like a team effort.”Somersfield Academy student Tess Spencer, 15, who plays Ariel said she was enjoying the challenge of Shakespeare.“For the play, we did a parody of a Bermuda tourism advertisement,” she said. “All the characters are wearing Bermuda shorts and jackets. There are palm leaves instead of wood. That was really fun.”Camilla Papadopoulo, 15, plays Prospero. She dreamed of one day becoming a professional actor.“I love this play,” she said. “It is a lot of work because it is more difficult than the other plays we have done. But it is a great experience and we are all enjoying it.”Shamar Morris, 15, who takes on the role of Caliban, said this is the second year he has taken part in the festival. Last year he worked behind the scenes in lighting and sound.“I want to be an actuary,” said Mr Morris. “But drama is always something good to have with you, to help be well rounded.”The festival is being held at The Berkeley Institute and starts each night at 7pm. Refreshments are on sale from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Saltus Grammar School will perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and CedarBridge Academy will perform ‘Romeo and Juliet’. On Wednesday, The Berkeley Institute will perform ‘Macbeth’ and Warwick Academy will do ‘Taming of the Shrew’. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at any participating school’s main office or at the Bermuda Bookstore.