Advice please 11+ drama scholarship

[aarghbleurgwaah]

Hello all, was hoping someone might be able to advise on what kind of monologue to prep ds for Indie school drama scholarship. ds does youth theatre and has some big parts in school plays but he doesn't have a one-to-one teacher. He has to prepare a 2 minute piece for the drama scholarship and is keen to do Shakespeare but I'm not sure it's the right type of thing and if it will affect his chances if he doesn't do something younger and more modern. Can anyone advise? Thanks so much in advance!

I don't think Shakespeare is right for an 11 year old and he's basically giving himself more work than needed considering he'll already be under pressure.

I went to an accredited Drama school by the way and have taught and tutored.

He could look at Lord of the Flies...some lovely characters in that.

What "type" is he OP? Is he a cool kid or more normal/geeky? What's he like physically? Tall, short? Capable and sporty or not?

Look on amazon for books of monologues for children, and choose one that suits his personality. If he’s a cheeky chap, something light and comedic. If he’s more serious, something a bit darker. But make sure it’s age appropriate. My DD did a Lion, Witch Wardrobe monologue of Lucy going through the wardrobe for her 11+ audition

Thanks both, that's really helpful. I would say he is not exactly a cheeky chappy, quite shy in everyday life and he definitely veers towards darker characters, so Lord of the Flies could be perfect. I think he's kind of cool looking but not actually cool if that makes sense. He got chosen for the romantic lead in his last school play more because he looks the part than anything and because it was a tragedy rather than a light romance! Definitely NOT sporty but slim and I think you can tell he looks more like an artist/musician than a footballer. If he was in Oliver he would be more likely be cast as Oliver than artful dodger iyswim although he himself would think Oliver was boring and would love to play the dodger! I will definitely take a look at Lord of the Flies too, thanks so much.

Yes...it's a great play. Wonderful roles for boys of all kinds. If you choose to do it, make sure he knows the whole story...even if you have to read it to him!

It's vital and a really good way of separating the triers from the doers OP. It's impossible to really play a character if you only know one speech...he must know the characters entire journey.

Also, speak to him about the time period in which it's set...discuss the differences in life then and now.

What kind of school do the boys attend? How is that different from his school? What manners did children have then? Same as today? No...etc, etc.

These details will really assist him no matter what play he ends up taking his speech from.

I was going to suggest lord of the flies as well.

Have a look at pieces for LAMDA exams - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one which comes up for example. They publish a book of extracts.

He needs something age appropriate so definitely not Shakespeare (no Shakespeare characters of his age)

National Theatre Connections plays are written each year for young performers. There is a monologues book here which is an excellent starting point.

Hello! My DS did an 11+ scholarship audition early this year and was successful. He doesnt have individual lessons or do LAMDA. He chose to do Edmund from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and prepared it all by himself. He was successful and offered a scholarship!

Oops apologies for writing he was successful twice...
He really enjoyed the process. Good luck to your DS

"He needs something age appropriate so definitely not Shakespeare (no Shakespeare characters of his age)"

Not that they're necessarily suitable for this sort of thing but the Princes in the Tower would be about that age, surely?

Someone mentioned the NT Connections plays- The Eidelweiss Pirates has some fantastic monologues for teenage boys.....