Amrin Khan struggles bravely with her French accent while a trio of cast members look on smugly. Photo by Debbie Allen: Courtesy of Leicester Mercury.

Leicester Mercury reporter Amrin Khan had a chance to make history when she was asked to take part in a five-day non-stop Shakespeare marathon – as well as reporting on it.

Amrin (26), who joined the Mercury in November 1999, said: “I have no dramatic desire at all. I’ve never wanted to be on the stage, but I was willing to give it a go.”

The marathon was organised by students from Leicester University Theatre who wanted to raise £3,000 to send 15 of their performers to Lithuania as the only UK university group in the International Shakespeare Youth Festival 2000. They also hoped to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records

Some 40 students were involved in putting on a mixture of performances and readings of all 40 of Shakespeare’s plays. They started with The Comedy of Errors on May Day Bank Holiday Monday, and wound up five days later with Two Noble Kinsmen.

Amrin joined in when the performers got to Henry V – a play she admitted to knowing nothing about.

She was given 12 sentences to get through as the Constable in the French army.

But when she made her entrance in Act Two, Scene Four, she found herself immediately picked up on her French accent.

“Come on, sound French,” ordered director Hal Iggulden. “You argh too much mis-taken in zis keeng,” he prompted.

“It wasn’t just a matter of whizzing through the plays at top speed,” explained Amrin. “They took it very seriously and wanted the best performances they could get.”

Kitted out in a red and green tunic, Amrin tried again.

“I wished the ground would open up and swallow me,” said Amrin.

She felt much the same when the above photograph of her moment in the spotlight appeared in the Mercury.

“I really don’t look that demented,” she assured HoldTheFrontPage.

After gaining a degree at Wolverhampton University, Amrin landed work experience at the Mercury last summer.

“They told me that as soon as a vacancy came up I would get it, and that’s what happened.”

But she’s not holding her breath waiting for the same response from the Royal Shakespeare Company…

You can see more pictures of the Shakespeare marathon on the students’ own website by clicking here

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