Shakespeare award target for Sofi-Jo

Sofi-Jo Bennett: “overwhelmed” at reaching final

MOSSLEY acting student Sofi-Jo Bennett has made the final of a prestigious Shakespearean-themed award.

The 22 year old, currently in her final year at the Manchester School of Theatre, will compete against other actors at London’s Globe Theatre for the Wanamaker Award in April.

The award is named after Sam Wanamaker, the American actor and director who founded the reborn Globe theatre, and recognises pioneering work in Shakespearean theatre.

To reach the final, Sofi-Jo has had to research, direct and perform a five-minute piece of Shakespeare.

Sofi-Jo and classmate Rachel Kilpatrick were chosen to represent the Manchester School of Theatre at the two-day festival at the Globe in April.

They will have to perform another piece based on Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor” before an overall winner is chosen.

Previous recipients of the award include Shakespeare scholar and author Professor Stanley Wells CBE and actors Paul Scofield and John Barton.

Sofi, who will graduate this summer, said: “I’m overwhelmed to have reached this stage. To get the chance to perform at the Globe is absolutely amazing.”

The Globe, on London’s south bank, is a reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse in Southwark built in 1599. The new theatre opened in 1997.