Performance Poetry, Memorised Poetry, Verse Speaking call it what you will here are some helpful hints and tips on how to give a really impressive poetry performance and get great marks at a festival.  Working with WORDS helps us with vocal expression, which is a vital component of performance – and all good actors start from here.

Learning your poem

Memorise the words

Learning the words is only the start of creating a great performance. Start memorising the poem as soon as you can so that you are then able to spend more of your time working on the way you perform it.

Movement

Many adjudicators are LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) and / or Trinity Guildhall examiners and these organisations specify that poetry should be performed using the voice and facial play only. Consequently marks are lost for hand gestures and movement across the stage.  Only the WORDS matter in Verse Speaking.

Speak clearly

Always try to speak clearly. Shape letters and vowel sounds with your mouth – don’t mumble.  Try not to lose the ends of words or to fade away at the end of a line and remember to speak loudly enough for the people at the back of the room to hear you clearly too. At the same time try not to shout – it’s a fine balance

Pace

Try to find the appropriate pace for the poem you are performing. Also try to find places in the poem where the pace can be varied. Look for moments when words can be speeded up to show excitement or slowed down to demonstrate sorrow or empathy.

Pause

Waiting a moment can be incredibly effective providing it is appropriate. One should pause at the end of each line, (to keep the SHAPE of the poem), unless the sense continues into the next – then you hover at the end of the first line (in case the last word rhymes with one above or below), and on the same breath continue into the next line, to keep the sense.  You can make your own pauses where sense permits, and to help the rhythm.

Emphasis

Read your poem looking for the words which are more important to the overall message of the poem – these words and phrases will require greater emphasis. Point them by putting a little more weight on a word or phrase – or stretch words to fit the rhythm, and highlight mood.

Some words lend themselves to particular emphasis. For example if the word “long” appears in a poem you could consider stretching the word when it is spoken. “Snip” on the other hand should be said quickly to stress the onomatopoeic (words that sound like the thing they are describing) nature of the word.

Beginnings and Endings

Think of ways to make the beginning and ending of your poem particularly memorable. To show that you are coming to the end of your poem you need to slow…the…words….down….to…..a…..stop.

Picture the scene

For a really polished performance it is important to imagine that you are really inside the poem. Try to see the characters and scenery around you. If you really believe in it the audience will too.

On the day of the performance

Before you begin

If you are performing a set poem walk to the stage and wait for the adjudicator to be ready – you do not want them to miss your opening lines! If you have chosen another poem to the set one you will need to pass a copy of the poem to the adjudicator before you begin.

Stance

Firstly stand with your feet slightly apart and your hands relaxed at your side. Do not forget to SMILE. You will be surprised how much this helps with your nerves and when you smile other people cannot help smiling back!

Introducing your poem

Tell the audience the name of the poem and the poet, then count to three in your head and begin.

If you make a mistake…

…soldier on, you never know people might not notice! If you forget your words, don’t worry, if you are performing at a festival, you will be helped by the adjudicator.

When you finish

Wait a short moment at the end of your performance to show that you have finished rather than running away!

Have FUN

Don’t forget this is going to be FUN. When you’ve learned everything about your poem, stood up in front of an audience and given it your best shot you’ll get a round of applause. It will be exciting, exhilarating and you’ll feel really proud of what you have done.