The English-Speaking Union

Meet your performers! 🎭

Ahead of the ESU Performing Shakespeare Grand Final this Thursday, we'd like to wish all our performers the very best of luck. We know the day will be a fantastic celebration of talent and oracy, and we can't wait to see these exceptional young people take to the stage!

Meet our judge, Tom Skehan🎭

Tom has a background in teaching, performing and communications coaching. He is the founder of Studio Speak, where he helps people develop the skills and confidence to become exceptional communicators.

Alongside his work as a corporate after-dinner speaker, Tom currently works with the ESU as an Oracy Coach, supporting young people to develop their speaking and listening skills. We are delighted to welcome him to this year's Performing Shakespeare Grand Final judging panel!

🎭 Our grand final is just around the corner, and already registration is now open for the ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition 2026–27!

Students bring Shakespeare to life in their own way, explaining their interpretation in a unique oracy component, and with the chance to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Give your students the confidence to explore Shakespeare in a new way, perform and be heard.

👉 Register now: esu.org/shakespeare
📺 Watch the grand final on Thursday: esu.org/shakespeare-gf

Open to all schools in England & Wales. Head to esu.org/competitions for more information on all of our oracy competitions. Registration closes on 16 September.

Meet our judge, Colm Gormley 🎭

Fresh from completing post-production on The Runner for MGM/Amazon Studios, Colm is about to begin rehearsals for As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe, directed by Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine.

We're thrilled to have him joining us for this year's Performing Shakespeare Grand Final!

Meet our judge, Paul Roseby OBE 🎭

Paul is an award-winning broadcaster and CEO/Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre. Awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to drama and young people, he has spent more than two decades championing young talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of performers.

We are delighted to welcome Paul to this year's Performing Shakespeare Grand Final and look forward to benefiting from his wealth of experience and expertise.

Meet our judge, Carol Fairlamb 🎭

Carol is an experienced voice coach with more than 30 years working across theatre, drama training and performance. Trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she was Head of Voice at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for over a decade.

Her extensive credits include productions with the Young Vic, National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, including War Horse, Othello, Touching the Void and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

We are delighted to welcome Carol to this year's Performing Shakespeare Grand Final!

📢 Competition registration is now open for 2026–27!

From debating to public speaking to Shakespeare, our national oracy competitions give students the chance to build confidence and find their voice.

🏆 Debate challenging issues at the ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition
🎤 Speak with impact at the ESU Public Speaking Competition
🎭 Perform with confidence at the ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition

👉 Register now: esu.org/competitions

Open to all schools in England & Wales. Head to esu.org/competitions for more information and to register your school. Registration closes on 16 September.

Meet our Chair Judge for this year's Performing Shakespeare Competition Grand Final: Lucy Cuthbertson 🎭

Lucy is Director of Education (Learning) at Shakespeare’s Globe, where she leads the Globe’s work with schools, teachers and young people. With over 20 years of experience in drama education and multiple Olivier Award nominations for her theatre directing work, she brings a wealth of expertise and passion for Shakespeare to the judging panel.

We're delighted to have Lucy helping to celebrate the next generation of Shakespeare performers. ✨

Meet our Master of Ceremonies for next week's Performing Shakespeare Grand Final, Jen Stone 🎭

Jen has worked at both Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has appeared as a Shakespeare expert on several television programmes. A familiar face at the Performing Shakespeare Competition, she has been part of the event for more than a decade and is delighted to be returning for this year's grand final in London.

Alongside her work in Shakespeare education, Jen is the Artistic Director of community theatre company Aunty Jen Productions. We’re thrilled to have her guiding us through the day’s celebrations!

A belated happy birthday to His Majesty King Charles III.

Thank you for being such a passionate champion of oracy and communication. We would like to extend our very best wishes for the year ahead and hope it is filled with continuing good health, happiness and powerful dialogue.