IT WAS a stroke of genius to set Much Ado About Nothing at Hogwarts, giving it a Harry Potter twist, for the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

This was the judgement of the festival director, who said it set Medina College's performance apart from the many other adaptations he had seen.

Binstead Primary, Medina College and the Island Free School took part in the largest youth drama festival in the world. Their section was held at Medina Theatre on Thursday (8).

The aim is to foster a love for Shakespeare in young people.

Medina College set their production at Hogwarts, with wands for swords and Harry Potter hoods for masks.

The Island Free School performed Anthony and Cleopatra, set in the roaring Twenties complete with opulent flapper dresses and sharp suits. The performance was praised for being incredibly inventive in the use of props, the variety of stage pictures, lighting, choreography and music.

Binstead Primary School’s choice of plain clothes added to the delightful innocence of their rendition of Romeo and Juliet. The school was praised for its clear grasp of the very difficult language.