Speech & Drama | Classes 1–64

2027 class list.

Find every class, age group, time limit and entry fee from the printed 2027 Speech & Drama syllabus. Choose a section or search the list below.

Entries close 31 January 20272027 class guideAll entries subject to regulations

Back to Speech & Drama Online entry

Find a class

No matching classes found. Try another number, age or class title.

2027 syllabus

Poetry and spoken word

Original poetry and spoken word

1–5

Write and perform your own original poem, spoken-word piece or original rap (not sung). Generative AI must not be used. Focus on originality, meaning, vocal expression and communication.

Medal for each class · Strata Cup for the most outstanding performance in classes 1–5

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 1	7 years and under	1 minute	£6.00
Class 2	8 and 9 years	1 minute	£6.00
Class 3	10–12 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 4	13–15 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 5	16 years and over	2 minutes	£6.00

Set poem

6–10

Choose and recite ONE of the two set poems for your age group, from memory. Focus on understanding, clear speaking, vocal expression and communication.

Medal for each class

Class	Age / group	Entry fee
Class 6	6–8 years	£6.00
Class 7	8 and 9 years	£6.00
Class 8	10–12 years	£6.00
Class 9	13–15 years	£6.00
Class 10	16 years and over	£6.00

Set-poem choices: Select one of the two poems for your age group and perform it from memory. The full texts are available on the Festival’s dedicated Set Poems page.

Class	Age	Option A	Option B
Class 6	6–8 years	The Bird Bath by Florence Hoatson	My Hut by E. Mathias
Class 7	8 and 9 years	There Are Big Waves by Eleanor Farjeon	The Growing River by Rodney Bennett
Class 8	10–12 years	Homework by Elizabeth Smith	Greedy Dog by James Hurley
Class 9	13–15 years	The Poem I’d Like to Write by Clive Sansom	Five Eyes by Walter de la Mare
Class 10	16 years and over	The Old Draught-Horse by Nicholas Stuart Gray	The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter by Rihaku

Read and practise the 2027 set poems

All ten poems for Classes 6–10, with search, adjustable text and printing.

Explore the set poems

Own choice of poem

11–15

Choose a poem and recite it from memory. Focus on understanding, interpretation, vocal expression and communication.

Medal for each class

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 11	7 years and under	1 minute	£6.00
Class 12	8 and 9 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 13	10–12 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 14	13–15 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 15	16 years and over	3 minutes	£7.00

Sonnet

16–18

Choose a sonnet and bring it to life through clear speaking, rhythm, understanding and connection with the audience.

Medal for each class · Nancy Hull Trophy for the most outstanding Sonnet performance

Class	Age / group	Entry fee
Class 16	11–13 years	£6.00
Class 17	14 and 15 years	£6.50
Class 18	16 years and over	£7.00

Humorous verse

19–24

Choose a poem or verse with genuine humour. Focus on clarity, timing, character and enjoyment rather than overacting.

Medal for each class · Ben Bailey Trophy for the most outstanding performer in classes 19–24

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 19	6 years and under	1 minute	£6.00
Class 20	7 and 8 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 21	9 and 10 years	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 22	11 and 12 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 23	13 and 14 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 24	15 years and over	3 minutes	£7.00

2027 syllabus

Speaking and reading

Prepared prose

25–29

Choose a passage of prose and perform it from memory. This is a speaking class rather than a fully acted scene; focus on understanding, vocal interpretation and communication.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 25	8 years and under	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 26	9 and 10 years	3 minutes	£6.00
Class 27	11 and 12 years	3 minutes	£6.00
Class 28	13–15 years	4 minutes	£6.50
Class 29	16 years and over	4 minutes	£7.00

Storytelling

30–32

Choose a passage from a favourite book, bring the book with you and present the passage as a reading, even if you have rehearsed it. Focus on expressive reading, voice, pace and understanding.

Medal for each class · Doncaster Free Press Trophy for the most outstanding performance in classes 30–32

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 30	11 years and under	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 31	12–15 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 32	16 years and over	4 minutes	£7.00

Write your own story

33–35

Write and present your own original short story. Generative AI must not be used. It may be read from a script or presented from memory; it must have a clear beginning, middle and end.

Medal for each class

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 33	11 years and under	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 34	12–15 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 35	16 years and over	4 minutes	£7.00

Impromptu speaking

36–37

An unseen topic will be supplied by the adjudicator, followed by 30 seconds to prepare. No prepared scripts or notes may be used. Speak naturally, organising your ideas clearly and engaging the audience.

Medal for each class

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 36	12–15 years	Up to 1½ minutes	£6.00
Class 37	16 years and over	Up to 2 minutes	£6.50

2027 syllabus

Presentation and performance

News presentation

38–40

Present the original festival-prepared news bulletin in the style of a television or radio newsreader. Sent by email approximately three weeks before the Festival. You may read the script; memorisation is not required.

Medal for each class · BBC Radio Sheffield Trophy for outstanding performance in classes 38–40 · The printed syllabus includes a studio tour for the overall winner

Class	Age / group	Entry fee
Class 38	11–13 years	£6.00
Class 39	14–16 years	£6.50
Class 40	17 years and over	£7.00

Supported by BBC Radio Sheffield.

Original public speaking

41–44

Deliver a speech of your own creation on a subject of your choice. Generative AI must not be used; the speech must be in your own words. Brief notes and one simple visual aid are permitted.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 41	9 years and under	2 minutes	£6.00
Class 42	10–12 years	3 minutes	£6.00
Class 43	13–15 years	4 minutes	£6.00
Class 44	16 years and over	5 minutes	£6.00

2027 syllabus

Acting and theatre

Acted duologue

45–48

Choose an extract from a published play and perform with a partner, from memory. Essential hand props may be used. This class is outside the Festival’s ALCS agreement; permission must be secured where required.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 45	9 years and under	5 minutes	£12.00
Class 46	10–12 years	5 minutes	£12.00
Class 47	13–15 years	5 minutes	£12.00
Class 48	16 years and over	5 minutes	£12.00

Devised scene

49–52

Create and perform an original scene inspired by the age-group stimulus themes. Perform from memory. Solos and duologues are adjudicated separately; duologue entrants may also enter a solo with a different theme.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 49	12 and 13 years · solo	2–3 minutes	£5.00
Class 50	14 years and over · solo	2–3 minutes	£5.00
Class 51	12 and 13 years · duologue	2–3 minutes	£5.00
Class 52	14 years and over · duologue	2–3 minutes	£5.00

12 and 13 years

A day out
My favourite hobby
Animals

14 years and over

A journey
A surprise
Lost and found

Performers may be asked why they chose the theme, where the scene takes place and what story it tells.

Acting solo – dramatic

53–56

Choose a serious scene or monologue from a published play and perform it from memory. Essential hand props may be used.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 53	9 years and under	3 minutes	£6.00
Class 54	10–12 years	4 minutes	£6.00
Class 55	13–15 years	5 minutes	£6.50
Class 56	16 years and over	5 minutes	£7.00

Acting solo – comedic

57–60

Choose a comic scene or monologue from a published play and perform it from memory. Essential hand props may be used.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 57	9 years and under	3 minutes	£6.00
Class 58	10–12 years	4 minutes	£6.00
Class 59	13–15 years	5 minutes	£6.50
Class 60	16 years and over	5 minutes	£7.00

Acting solo – Shakespeare

61–63

Choose a solo scene or speech from a play by William Shakespeare and perform it from memory. Essential hand props may be used.

Medal for each class · A trophy may also be awarded, subject to entries

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 61	11–13 years	3 minutes	£6.50
Class 62	14 and 15 years	5 minutes	£6.50
Class 63	16 years and over	5 minutes	£7.00

Group drama

Three to six performers present an extract from a published play. Memorised, rehearsed and clearly staged. Essential props may be used. This class is outside the Festival’s ALCS agreement; permission must be secured where required.

Togel Trophy

Class	Age / group	Time limit	Entry fee
Class 64	Mixed ages · 3–6 performers	Up to 10 minutes	£12.00

Please read before submitting

Important guidance

Copies and copyright

Upload a clear, complete adjudicator copy of each chosen piece through the online entry system. Retain a lawfully obtained original or authorised copy. Duologues and group dramatic works are not covered by the Festival’s ALCS arrangement; obtain permission where required.

Original writing and AI

Original poetry, Write Your Own Story and Original Public Speaking require your own words. The printed syllabus prohibits generative AI for these classes. See the Festival Regulations for the full rule.

Medals and overall awards

Specific medal and trophy arrangements are shown for each class. The Harry Cutts Trophy is awarded to the section’s outstanding performer chosen across the weekend.

Entry and questions

Entries close on 31 January 2027. If you are unsure which age group or class to enter, please contact us before submitting your entry.

Found your class?

Read the regulations before submitting an online entry. Entries close 31 January 2027.

Go to online entry