Reverend James Costello – 2018 Jonathan Bowden Oratory Prize Nominee

The fourth nominee for the 2018 Jonathan Bowden Oratory Prize is one of the leading members of the Creativity Movement in the UK, the Reverend James Costello, who is nominated for a speech he made, incorporating a dramatic performance from Shakespeare’s Henry 5th. James was speaking at a meeting organised by Boadicea Events at Blackpool 21st October 2017. We believe James has an amateur dramatic background and because of this has memorised the speech from Henry 5th as a ‘party piece’, and that he was asked to do a rendition at the Blackpool meeting.

James’s delivery his speech was measured and slower than many other speakers. This enables him to demonstrate good diction and it also adds dramatic effect to give his voice. James also employs much emphasis through his voice and his gesticulations also help to add emphasis to key phrases.

The rendition of Henry 5th’s speech is delivered without notes and without prompts and James’ delivery is excellent showing that he has the capacity to develop a fluent speaking style, absent the need for notes, that is the hallmark of all truly great speakers.

By Max Musson © 2018

# # # #