The WeAudition: Actors Pro Expo London 2026 Stage Competition invited performers from across the industry to submit a monologue for the chance to perform live on our Gallery Stage. With an overwhelming number of high-quality entries, our judges were tasked with selecting performers who demonstrated clarity of choice, emotional truth, and compelling storytelling.

 

Below, we spotlight our stage performers and share, in their own words, how they chose their monologues for the competition.

Barbara Quilliam

 

Barbara selected a monologue by Byron Lavery, drawn to its emotional depth and complexity.

 

“I chose the Byron Lavery monologue because it is a beautifully written piece that allows the performer to explore complex emotional reactions to a tragic personal event. Themes of loss, grief, guilt, shame, and the heaviness of unresolved grief offered a gritty challenge. I’m generally drawn to darker stories and this piece allowed me to fully engage with that emotional landscape.”

 

Her performance stood out for its emotional bravery and grounded intensity, revealing a strong connection to the text and a willingness to sit with difficult truths.

Julia Savill

 

Julia took a creative and personal approach by writing her own monologue, inspired by a character she previously portrayed in a short film.

 

“I played this character in a short film — a feisty and fairly cantankerous old woman who enjoys drinking whiskey and winding up her care workers. I decided to write my own monologue based on her character, which felt like a good fit for me and allowed me to show my range as a character actress, with a bit of comedy thrown in.”

 

Her submission demonstrated originality, specificity, and a strong sense of character, balancing humour with sharp observational detail.

Teon Kelley

 

For Teon, the competition brief itself shaped his decision.

 

“When I saw the announcement for the competition, it said ‘quality over quantity.’ That stayed with me. I chose something short, subtle, yet powerful, focusing on a clear shift in the character from beginning to end while keeping casting directors engaged, so that when it finishes, the question is, ‘What happens next?’”

 

Teon’s performance was notable for its precision and restraint, offering a compelling narrative arc within a concise frame.

 

Rosie Dunjay

Rosie approached her monologue choice with a strategic focus on contrast and naturalism.

“I chose quite strategically, selecting a piece that had natural patterns of speech for me and felt somewhat light. There can be a tendency for actors to choose darker monologues, and I was hoping to provide a welcome contrast in tone.”

Her performance brought freshness and ease to the competition, standing out with its authenticity.

 

Bernard Faricy

Bernard selected a character-driven monologue rooted in his connection to the role and a love of classic character parts.

“I chose the Fagin monologue partly as I know the song ‘Reviewing The Situation’ and I have played the Fagin character in the past, but I just love such character parts, with Scrooge as another example.”

His performance stood out for its clear choices and confident storytelling, bringing depth and personality to a well-known role.

See Them Perform Live

 

Our competition winners will all be performing live at 1:30pm on the Gallery Stage at WeAudition: Actors Pro Expo London 2026, in the heart of the exhibitor gallery. 

 

Their performances will take place in front of a live audience and industry professionals from across theatre, film, and television. We look forward to celebrating these performers on stage and sharing more about their journeys in the lead-up to the Expo!