Huge congratulations to former Newland School for Girls student Tazmin Farr and former Hymers student Lucas Preston for reaching the national final of this year’s Poetry by Heart competition.
Both students will take to the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer to compete for the prestigious national title, an incredible achievement and a moment of real pride.
When asked how their partnership formed, Lucas explained, “We both study Drama, and we’ve worked together before, so it felt like a natural choice.”
For Tazmin, this marks her second consecutive year performing at the Globe after qualifying for the final last year, a remarkable accomplishment.
Their chosen piece, “What the Chairman Told Tom” by Basil Bunting, is a sharp, satirical dramatic monologue in which a pompous company chairman lectures a poet, dismissing poetry as childish and economically pointless. The voice is intentionally smug and philistine, exposing the kind of businessman who cannot understand art unless it makes money.
The national Poetry by Heart competition has become a celebrated fixture at Wyke, championed enthusiastically by the English Literature department, who see it as a powerful way to deepen students’ confidence, creativity, and connection to spoken poetry. Each year, staff guide students through the art of memorisation, interpretation, and performance, creating a supportive environment where emerging voices can thrive. Their commitment has helped establish Poetry by Heart as more than a competition, it’s a cornerstone of Wyke’s literary culture, inspiring students to engage with poetry in bold, expressive, and meaningful ways.
A perfect choice for two talented performers stepping onto one of the most iconic stages in the world.
