“Olympics for Actors” kicks off with local talent Emily Barber

The acting world is abuzz as World Monologue Games, the premier event for monologue performers, returns for its eagerly awaited fifth season.

The global event attracts top talent from over 100 countries and is often referred to as “the Olympics for Actors”. Among the performers through to this year’s Europe and North America Regional Finals is Emily Barber, a 12-year-old from Exeter. Emily, who previously won the Cygnet Theatre’s Exeter Monologue Competition, will be showcased alongside over 250 other actors where she will be judged by heads of international acting schools, Hollywood producers and even Emmy-winning casting directors.

“Being part of this year's World Monologue Games is incredibly exciting,” says Emily. “I am joining a group of actors from across the world and am proud to be representing the United Kingdom in the Europe and North America Regional Finals. I can’t wait to perform and to learn from everyone taking part.”

Founded in 2020 by leading Australian producer Pete Malicki, World Monologue Games has grown stronger each season. Malicki notes, “The quality of submissions has significantly improved since we launched the event at the beginning of the pandemic. I’m excited to see what this year’s competitors bring to the table after an incredibly strong qualifying round!”

Emily will be presenting a monologue called The Divorce. Commenting on the experience, she added, “My character’s parents are separating and the monologue sees me move from one desperate attempt to the next trying to get them back together. Most recently I’ve been cast as The Artful Dodger in Oliver at Torquay’s Princess Theatre and Princess Aouda in Around the World in Eighty Days at Exmouth’s Blackmore Theatre. So this is a wonderful opportunity for me to try something completely different.”

The Youth Regional Finals for Europe and North America will be broadcast on YouTube on 6th October. Winners will advance to November’s Global Finals, where performers vie for prizes and the prestige of being crowned the Global Champion.