THE RADA SHAKESPEARE GOLD AWARD
“…certain o'er incertainty/Crowning the present, doubting of the rest…”
Sonnet 115
All candidates must be 15+
Single candidates or pairs. Assessment time: 45 minutes (90 minutes for a pair).
‒ Candidates will need to have gained the RADA Silver Award.
‒ The assessment begins with a discussion between the candidate(s) and the
assessor. This will focus on the plays their chosen speeches are from; the nature
of the characters involved; and in more general terms, Shakespeare and his
works.
‒ For this you receive marks out of 10 in each of THREE categories (30 Marks in
all): THE PLAYS, THE CHARACTERS & THE WRITER.
– Candidates will then deliver – from memory – a speech chosen from one of the 8
offered for the Gold Award; or two people will present – from memory – a scene,
chosen from one of the 4 offered. Candidates may choose any of the speeches
regardless of gender.
– There follows a discussion with the assessor on the character, context and nature
of the play: and feedback given. (Candidates should have read or watched the
play to qualify.)
– Speech or scene delivered again.
– For this you receive marks out of 10 in each of FOUR categories (40 Marks in all):
CLARITY, VITALITY, CHARACTERISATION & COMPREHENSION.
– Candidates will then deliver – from memory – a second speech chosen from one
of the 8 offered for the Gold Award; or two people will present – from memory – a
scene, chosen from one of the 4 offered. Candidates may choose any of the
speeches regardless of gender.
– There follows a discussion with the assessor on the character, context and nature
of the play: and feedback given. (Candidates should have read or watched the
play to qualify.)
– Speech or scene delivered again.
– For this you receive marks out of 10 in each of FOUR categories (40 Marks in all):
CLARITY, VITALITY, CHARACTERISATION & COMPREHENSION.
– Each candidate (or each individual candidate in turn, if a pair is being assessed)
will be required to read a sonnet on sight – 15 minutes preparation time will be
given prior to the assessment. (Candidates should have an awareness of the
whole sequence of 154 of Shakespeare’s Sonnets to qualify; the sequence is
readily available in most Complete Works; and in numerous, excellent separate
editions. We particularly recommend the Penguin Shakespeare’s Sonnets; edited
by John Kerrigan.)
– The assessor will then work through aspects of the sonnet with the candidate.
– Sonnet delivered again.
– For this you receive marks out of 10 in each of THREE categories (30 Marks in
all): CLARITY, VITALITY & COMPREHENSION.
To gain the AWARD requires a total of 85 marks out of 140 marks - or above. To
gain the AWARD WITH DISTINCTION requires a total of 120 marks out of 140
marks - or above.
– During the assessment you will be given verbal feedback, ideas to try and
suggestions of ways to develop. It is useful to bring a notebook and pen, or
phone to record discussions. This will help you refer back to the points raised
as you move forward with your work. Brief written feedback is offered only in
the event of a fail.
£95 for a single candidate: £190 for a pair.
It is important to be clear that obtaining a RADA Award is in no way a qualification for RADA’s 3-year acting
degree course, as the processes of assessment are entirely unrelated.