Woodfields Academy: Doncaster drama students through to poetry final

Drama students from Woodfields Academy in Doncaster will perform at Shakespeare's Globe

School children from Doncaster are to head to London after being named finalists in a freestyle poetry competition.

In July, 13 children from Woodfields Academy will perform at Shakespeare's Globe theatre.

The drama club students beat more than 3,000 entries to get to the final where they will perform poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley.

"We are so proud," said vice principal and drama teacher Julie Atkins.

Poetry by Heart is a national poetry speaking competition for schools and colleges, with Astrea Academy Woodfields sending in a filmed performance of Invictus to be judged.

The poem was recited by Nelson Mandela to other prisoners at Robben Island during his incarceration.

'Strength and courage'

Performed as a physical ensemble piece, the students start their recitation in a boat formation, moving around the stage.

"Not only are they testing their memory and recall when they perform freestyle poetry, they have also put in that extra level of feeling and emotion which has clearly spoken to the adjudicators," Ms Atkins said.

"It's a beautiful poem about strength, courage and remembering you are the person in charge of your own destiny."