REFERENCE BOOKS
A Another Very First Poetry Book pub. Oxford
B Puffin Fantastic Poems
C Very First Poetry pub Oxford
D I Like this Poem
E Young Puffin Book of Verse
F Is a Caterpillar Ticklish
G Poems for 9 years and Under
H Poems to Read out Loud
I Read Me
J The Works 4
K Puffin Quintet of Poets
L The Works 5
M Nations Favourite Poems
Copies of all the set poems are available from the Secretary.
AGE TO ACCORD WITH THE RELEVANT SCHOOL YEAR
Book ref./Page Entry fee
Class 1A
Pre Reception Children
Test Piece : Own Choice of a traditional Nursery Rhyme £2.50
Class 1
Verse Speaking Reception Class
Test Piece: Snow Problem by John Coldwell A/89 £3.00
Class 2
Verse Speaking Year 1 ( March– August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece Be Impolite by Michael Duggan A/43 £3.00
Class 3
Verse Speaking Year 1 ( September-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece Five Little Owls Anon B/11 £3.00
Class 4
Verse Speaking Year 2 ( March-August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece Who’s In by Elizabeth Fleming B/89 £3.00
Class 5
Verse Speaking Year 2 (September-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece My Roller Skates by Finda Akister C/22 £3.00
Class 6
Verse Speaking Year 3 (March– August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece: My Grannies by June Cribben B/65 £3.00
Class 7
Verse Speaking Year 3 (Sept-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece Mice by Rose Fyleman D/27 £3.00
Class 8
Verse Speaking Year 4 (March-August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece: Tea with Me by Alison Winn E/161 £3.00
Class 9
Verse Speaking Year 4 (Sept-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece: House by Leonard Clark F/24 £3.00
Class 10
Verse Speaking Year 5 (March-August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece Black Pebble by James Reeves G/79 £3.00
Class 11
Verse Speaking Year 5 (Sept-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece The Moon by Robert Louis Stevenson H/96/97 £3.00
Class 12
Verse Speaking Year 6 (March-August Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece From a Railway Carriage by Robert Louis Stevenson H/ 24 £3.00
Class 13
Verse Speaking Year 6 (Sept-February Birthdays inclusive)
Test Piece A Small Dragon by Brain Patten I/25 £3.00
Class 14
Verse Speaking Year 7
Test Piece Day that Summer Died by Vernon Scannell J/96 £3.00
Class 15
Verse Speaking Year 8
Test Piece: Holidays at Home by Elizabeth Jennings K/116 £3.00
Class 16
Verse Speaking Year 9
Test Piece The Scarecrow by Walter de la Mare L/72/73 £3.00
Test Piece: War Photographer by Carol Ann Duffy F172 £2.00
Copy available from the Secretary
Class 17 Book ref./page Entry fee
Verse Speaking Year 10
Test Piece : Road not Taken by Robert Frost M/77 £.3.00
Class 18
Verse Speaking Year 11
Test Piece High Flight ( An Airman’s Ecstacy) by John Gillespie Magee M/72 £3.00
Class 19
Verse Speaking Year 12 and over
Test Piece Blackberry Picking by Seamus Heaney M/176 £3.00
HUMOROUS VERSE
A Copy of Own Choice Poems to be submitted at time of entry please.
Class 20
Humorous Verse Speaking Year 2 and under
Test Piece: Own Choice Time Limit: 2 minutes £3.00
Class 21
Humorous Verse Speaking Years 3 and 4
Test Piece: Own Choice Time Limit : 2 minutes £3.00
Class 22
Humorous Verse Speaking Year 5
Test Piece: Own Choice Time Limit: 3 minutes £3.00
Class 23
Humorous Verse Speaking Year 6
Test Piece: Own Choice Time Limit: 3 minutes £3.00
Class 24
Humorous Verse Speaking Years 7 and 8
Test Piece : Own Choice Time Limit : 4 minutes £3.00
Class 25
Humorous Verse Speaking Years 9, 10 and 11
Test Piece : Own Choice Time Limit : 4 minutes £3.00
Class 26
Prose Speaking Years 6 and under
An extract from Gansta Granny by David Walliams .
Time Limit 11/12 minutes £3.00
Class 27
Prose Speaking Years 7 and 8
An extract from Harry Potter and the Philosher’s Stone by J K Rowling
Time Limit 2 minutes £3.00
Class 28 Prose Speaking Years 9 to 11
An extract from All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Time Limit 3 minutes £3.00
Class 29
Prose Speaking 13 to 16 years Time Limit : 3 minutes
An Extract from “Eragon” by Christopher Paolini
Or “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte £2.00
Class 30
Bible Reading Year 6 and under (Primary)
Test Piece St Mark Chapter 4 verses 1-8 £3.00
Any version of the Bible may be used, but a copy must be provided
for the adjudicator
Class 31
Bible Reading Year 7 and over (Secondary) £3.00
Test Piece St Matthew Chapter 5 verses 1 to 10
Any version of the Bible may be used, but a copy must be provided
for the adjudicator
Class 32
Religious Verse Year 6 and under £3.00
Test Piecer Own Choice Time Limit up to 3 minutes
Class 33
Religious Verse Year 7 and over
Test Piece: Own Choice Time Limit 3 minutes £3.00
ORIGINAL WRITING
The poem MUST be sent to the Secretary at the time of entry 20th
January 2024 For Classes 34 & 35 please include your date of birth.
Class 34
Original Verse written by Primary School Students £3.00
Test Piece : Performers are required to submit their own choice composition which may be either rhyming or free verse. The poem may be either spoken by the writer or another person chosen by the writer.
Class 35
Original Verse written by Secondary School Students £3.00
Test Piece : Performers are required to submit their own choice composition which may be either rhyming or free verse. The poem may be either spoken by the writer or another person chosen by the writer.
Class 36
Original Verse Adult £4.00
Test Piece : Performers are required to submit their own choice composition which may be either rhyming or free verse. The poem may be either spoken by the writer or another person chosen by the writer.
MIME CLASSES
IN ALL MIME CLASSES NO PROPS, OTHER THAN CHAIRS, MAY BE USED. IF POSSIBLE PERFORM IN BLACK CLOTHING.
Class 38
Solo Mime Primary
Test Piece: The Surprise , Caught or Chocolates
Time Limit: 2 minutes £3.00
Class 39
Solo Mime Secondary
Test Piece: The Box or The Library or My Alarm didn’t go Off
Time Limit: 3 minutes £3.00
Class 40
Duo Mime Primary No Music
Test Piece The Artist or The Interview or The Rescue
Time Limit : 3 minutes £3.50
Class 41
Duo Mime Secondary No Music
Test Piece : Own Choice
Time Limit : 3 minutes £3.50
Class 42
Group Mime Primary (not less than 4 people) No Music
Test Piece : The Burglary or The Beach
Time Limit : 5 minutes £6.00
Class 43
Group Mime Secondary (not less than 4 people) No Music
Test Piece : Own Choice
Time Limit : 6 minutes £6.00
DRAMATIC CLASSES
Class 44
Solo Dramatic Primary
Test Piece : Own Choice of an extract from a play or novel spoken by a character
Time Limit : 3 minutes £3.50
Class 45
Solo Dramatic Years 7 and 8
Test Piece : Own Choice of an extract from a play or novel spoken by a character
Time Limit : 3 minutes £3.50
Class 46
Solo Dramatic Years 9, 10 and 11
Test Piece: Own Choice of an extract from a play or novel spoken by a character
Time Limit: 5 minutes £3.50
Class 47
Solo Dramatic 16 years and over
Test Piece: Own Choice of an extract from a play or novel spoken by a character
Time Limit: 5 minutes £4.00
DUOLOGUE CLASSES
Class 48
Primary Duologue
Test Piece: Own Choice
Time Limit 5 minutes (including setting any props) £4.00
Class 49
Duologue Years 7 and 8
Test Piece : Own Choice
Time Limit : 6 minutes (including any prop setting) £4.00
Class 50
Duologue Years 9-12
Test Piece : Own Choice
Time Limit : 6 minutes (including any prop setting) £4.00
Class 51
Dramatic Quartet Years 1 and 2
Test Piece : “Holiday” or “The Strange Visit”
Time Limit : 3 minutes £5.00
Class 52
Dramatic Quartet Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Test Piece : “Where did that come From?” or “Oh, what a mess!”
Time Limit : 4 minutes £5.00
Class 53
Dramatic Quartet (Secondary)
Test Piece : “Shock Result” or “Eureka”
Time Limit : 4 minutes £5.00
Choral Speaking Choirs Are Not To Be Conducted
Class 54
Choral Speaking Years 1 and 2
Test Piece: Daddy Fell into the Pond by Alfred Noyes
Or Cats by Eleanor Farjeon and Own choice as last year
AND Own Choice of one contrasting poem. Time limit : 4 minutes £6.50
Class 55
Choral Speaking Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
Test Piece: JABBERWOCKY BY LEWIS CARROLL
Or Colonel Fazackerley by Charkes Causley
AND Own Choice of one contrasting poem. Time limit : 5 minutes £6.50
Class 56
Choral Speaking Secondary
Test Piece: JOURNEY OF THE Magi by T S Eliot
Or The Listeners by Walter de la Mare
Or Macavity :The Mystery Cat by T S Eliot
AND Own Choice of one contrasting poem
Time Limit: 8 minutes £6.50
Copies of these poems are available from the Secretary
Class 57
Choral Speaking (Adults)
Test Piece Either The Journey of the Magi by T S Eliot or
The Listeners by Walter de la Mare or Macivity the Mystery Cat by T S Eliot AND OwnChoice of one contrasting poem Time Limit 10 minutes £6.00 Copies Poems available from the Secretary
Performers in Classes 58 to 60 must provide copies of Solo Verse, Prose and
Choral Speaking which they may be including in their performance.
Class 58
Junior Theme Class Years 6 and under (not less than 5 people)
Test Piece: A programme devised by the group illustrating one of the following :
i Summer ii Danger iii Family Occasions
The theme must include at least three of the following skills:
- Solo Verse d. Recorded Music
- Prose e. Live Music
- Choral Speaking f. Mime and Movement
Time Limit: 8 minutes £6.00
Class 59
Intermediate Theme Class Years 7 and 8 (not less than 5 people)
Test Piece: A programme devised by the group illustrating one of the following :
i Winter ii Out and About iii Escape
The theme must include at least three of the skills listed above.
Time Limit: 10 minutes £6.00
Class 60
Senior Theme Class Years 9 to 11 (not less than 5 people)
Test Piece: A programme devised by the group illustrating one of the following :
i Disguise ii Phobias iii Happy Days
The theme must include at least three of the skills listed above.
Time Limit: 12 minutes £6.00
Class 61
Shakespeare Character Study Years 6, 7 and 8 £2.50
The piece selected must be acted Time Limit : 2 minutes
Test Piece : Own Choice of a speech from one of the following plays
- Much Ado About Nothing ii. Romeo & Juliet iii. Midsummer Night’s Dream
Class 62
Shakespeare Character Study Years 9, 10, and 11 £2.50
The piece selected must be acted. Time limit : 4 minutes
Test Piece: Own Choice of a speech from any play by William Shakespeare
Diary Reading 11 to 14 years Time Limit : 3 minutes
Test Piece: An extract from : The Diary of Anne Frank £2.00
Class 63
Shakespeare Character Study Years 12 and 13
The piece selected must be acted Time Limit : 4 minutes £3.00
Test Piece : Own Choice of a speech from any play by William Shakespeare
Class 64
Shakespeare Character Study Adult £5.00
The piece selected must be acted Time Limit : 4 minutes
Test Piece : Own Choice of a speech from any play by William Shakespeare
Class 65
Diary Reading Years 7 and 8 Time Limit : 3 minutes
Test Piece : Own Choice of an extract from thee Diary of Anne Frank £3.00
Class 66
Diary Reading Years 9, 10 and 11 Time Limit : 3 minutes
Test Piece : Own Choice of an extract from
The Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden £3.00
Class 67
Verse Speaking Years 3 , 4, 5 and 6 £3.00
Test Piece : Own Choice of any poem from Read Me Series of Books
A copy must be provided for the adjudicator.
Class 68 £3.00
Verse Speaking Years 7 — 12
Test Piece : The Nations Favourite Poems except any poem already set for the Festival
Class 69 £3.00
Sonnet Class (Secondary)
Test Piece : Own Choice of two contrasting sonnets
Class 70 £3.00
Prepared Prose Reading Time Limit : 3 minutes
Test Piece : An extract from any novel by any of the Bronte Sisters
Class 71
Musical Theatre Group (not less than 4 people)
Test Piece: To perform an extract from a Musical which must include spoken word
and 1 musical piece accompanied by either recorded or live music.
Time Limit: 15 minutes £7.00
Please note: Should entries be received from both Primary and Secondary ages, this class will be divided.
Class 72
Radio News Reading Years 5 and 6
Test Piece: Performers should prepare a news script which they will read as a radio news bulletin of 2 minutes duration. The script, which should be in the performer’s own words, should comprise news items which have been reported on radio, television or in the newspapers during January and February 2024 The adjudicator will assess both content and presentation. £3.00
Class 73
Radio News Reading Years 7 and 8
Test Piece: As above, but a bulletin of up to 3 minutes duration. £3.00
Class 74
Radio News Reading Years 9 and 10
Test Piece: As above, but a bulletin of up to 4 minutes duration £3.00
Class75
Radio News Reading Years 11 and 12
Test Piece : As above, but a bulletin of up to 5 minutes duration. £3.00
Class 76
Musical Theatre Solo Open
Test Piece : To introduce a character from a musical and perform one song.
Time Limit : 4 minutes
Accompanist will be provided if necessary. CDs not allowed.
Music must be included with entry please. £3.00
Class 77
Open Theme Class £6.00
Test Piece : A programme devised by the group illustrating any one of the options listed in Classes 58—60.
Time Limit : 12 minutes
Class 78 £3.00
Duologue Open
Test Piece Own Choice of a Piece written for two Characters or an
Extract from a Book
Time Limit 8 Minutes including setting.
Class 79 £3.00
Humorous Verse Year 12 & 13
Own Choice Time Limit 5 minutes
Class 80 £3.00
Bible Reading Year 12 & 13
Test Piece St Luke Chapter 2 verses 1 to 20
Class 81
Solo Dramatic Years 12 & 13
Test Piece Own Choice of a speech by a Character from either a Play or Novel
Time Limit 6 minutes £3.00