We are absolutely delighted to celebrate outstanding success in the National Youth Monologue Competition, which this year attracted almost 4,000 auditions from across the UK.

This year also introduced two Regional Finals (North and South), with entry strictly limited to the top 10 performers per category in each region. In other words, only the very best reach this stage.

We are incredibly proud to share that eight Abbey Gate College performances have been invited to the Northern Regional Final. Given that Regional Finalists represent just the top 10% of entrants nationally, it is particularly striking that 35% of our own entrants have reached this level.

We are also delighted that the College has been nominated for the School and Group Prize, placing us as 1 of just 24 institutions in the whole of the North of the UK to receive this recognition.

What is perhaps most impressive, however, is the consistency across the full cohort.

Students placed on the Regional Shortlist, typically drawn from roughly the top 10-15% of entrants, account for a further 31% of our entries. Taken together with our finalists, this means that two thirds of Abbey Gate College entrants (66%) were recognised at either Finalist or Shortlist level.

Beyond this, a further 30% of students were awarded Highly Commended status, a category representing approximately the top 15-25% of entrants nationally. This brings the overall picture into even sharper focus: 96% of our entrants received formal recognition within the competition.

In short, almost every student who entered performed at a level placing them among the strongest young actors in the country.

Northern Regional Finalists

• Flora M – KS2 Screen Monologue
• William C-E – KS3 Contemporary Monologue
• Amira M – KS3 Contemporary Monologue
• Amira M – KS3 Screen Monologue
• Amy R – KS4 Contemporary Monologue
• Amy R – KS4 Classical Monologue
• Sophie K – Sixth Form Contemporary Monologue
• Marcus E- Sixth Form Classical Monologue

Reserve Regional Finalist

• Holly Shiel – KS3 Contemporary Monologue

Regional Shortlist

• James B – KS5 Classical
• Thomas E – KS5 Classical
• Erin M – KS5 Classical
• Marcus E – KS5 Contemporary
• Erin M – KS5 Contemporary
• Jonah M – KS3 Contemporary
• Holly Shiel – KS3 Contemporary

Highly Commended

• Carys D – KS4 Classical
• Anna D – KS4 Contemporary
• Carys D – KS4 Contemporary
• Ben F – KS4 Contemporary
• Thomas E – KS5 Contemporary
• James B – KS5 Contemporary
• Lucie H – KS3 Screen

Each student has shown real skill, confidence, and commitment throughout the competition. The standard is extremely high at every level, and this breadth of recognition is thoroughly deserved.

Successful performers at the Regional Final will be invited to the National Final in London’s West End this June, the same stage where Amira performed last year.

A fantastic example of talent, dedication, and opportunity coming together – and a group who continue to represent the school with real distinction.