High standard of speech and drama at Rotorua competition makes judges' job tough

The high standard at this year's Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition has made the judge's jobs difficult.

Presented by the Rotorua Competitions Society, about 200 children aged between 5 to 18 will take part in about 750 performances before the competition wraps up with prizegiving at 1pm today. Judges Jill Walker from Dunedin, Peggy Lehmann from Wellington and Glenda Pearce from Auckland said the high standard had made judging difficult. "The standard is so high, which means we have to be very critical," Ms Lehmann said.

"I would like to see more of an audience for them."

Ms Walker said she was impressed by the way the children were supporting and encouraging each other.

"No one appears to be too nervous and it doesn't seem to be just about competing," she said.

"They're all just happy to get on stage and do their best."

Ms Pearce has the difficult job of judging the performer of the year competition which starts at 8.30am today. Performer of the year is the premier event for senior performers and this year there are 12 students competing.

Each student gives a 15-minute performance made up of three separate elements and with free entry, members of the public are encouraged to go along and support.

Ms Pearce said she spent the past weekend researching the pieces the students will be performing.

"It's exciting, a challenge, such amazing entertainment," she said.

"The standards are so high I am kind of hoping for some obvious mistakes."

Grace Donaldson performing as Gemma for her character recital. Photo/Ben Fraser

In his sixth year competing, Joshua McGrath, 17, achieved three firsts, a second and a highly commended.

"It's been amazing," he said.

"To see the standard of everybody, it gets better and better every year.

"I love a good competition."

Josh said the hardest part of competing was memorising the lines.

"People should come along to performer of the year," he said.

"The standard will be incredible to watch.

"It will be so entertaining, something to watch and then aim to live up to."

Angus Veitch, 13, said the weekend had been fun, exciting and a little bit nerve-racking.

"My favourite thing is my character, it's Charlie Brown," he said.

"People should come along to watch."