Setting the scene for Shakespeare success

07 Apr 2026

Take a bow Max Zhao and Cole Moffatt, named Best Supporting Performer and Best Performer, respectively, at the SGCNZ Shakespeare Festival regional event.

A Year 9 student, Max has been recognised for his role as Snug the Lion in a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream while Cole features in a scene from Richard III. Christ’s College has also been awarded Best Teacher-Directed Scene for Much Ado About Nothing.

In total, College has presented eight scenes, with seven student-directed by boys from Years 10–13. The students’ commitment and creativity have resulted in many awards across the groups, including:

  • Best Costuming – Macbeth (directed by Year 12 student Harry MacKenzie-Rickards)
  • Clearest Characterisation A Midsummer Night’s Dream (directed by Year 12 student Toby Sharr)
  • Best Comedic Timing – The Merry Wives of Windsor (directed by Year 12 students Cole Moffatt and James Anderson)
  • Best Stage Death – Romeo and Juliet (directed by Year 10 student Basil Clarkson, with Austin Douglass as Mercutio)
  • Best Use of Subplot – Hamlet (directed by Year 11 student Harrison Tapper, assisted by Hugo Bush and Sam Leete
  • Best Stakes – Romeo and Juliet (directed by Yea 12 student Oliver Trollip)
  • Best Battle Scene – Richard III (directed by Year 13 student Charlie Wood)
  • Best Chorus and Best Teacher-Directed Scene – Much Ado About Nothing (directed by Nikki Bleyendaal)