Best Polish Adaptation of plays by William Shakespeare or inspired by the Bard Competition, called Golden Yorick Competition in short, has been organised annually since 1994. The selection proces results with a summary of Polish Shakespeare Theatre Adaptations of a given theatre season.

The selection of Polish performances to be presented during the Festival is made by Łukasz Drewniak, a theatre critic, who chooses three to be shown in the competinion finals taking place during the event. The Golden Yorick Award is granted during the festival by a specially appointed Jury.

• In 1994 Golden Yorick went to Teatr Polski in Warszawa for „Love’s Labour’s Lost” directed by Maciej Prus.
• In 1995 Golden Yorick went to Teatr Polski in Wrocław for „Romeo and Juliette” directed by Tadeusz Bradecki, with Jolanta Fraszyńska and Robert Gonera in lead characters.
• In 1996 the Main Award was not assigned but distinction was granted to Centrum Sztuki Teatr Dramatyczny in Legnica, „As You Like It” directed by Robert Czechowski, set-design by Małgorzata Bulanda
• In 1997 the Competition name changed to „Polish Competition for the Best Adaptation of William Shakespeare Plays” and was coorganised by Polish Ministry of Culture. Jury: Teresa Budzisz Krzyżanowska, Olgierd Błażewicz. Tadeusz Bradecki, Jerzy Sokołowski, Władyslaw Zawistowski awarded Teatr Dramatyczny in Warszaw for „As You Like It” directed by Piotr Cieślak and granted two other awards to: Teatr Polski in Warszaw for „Julius Ceasar” directed by Maciej Prus and Stary Teatr in Krakow for „The Tempest” directed by Rudolf Zioło. Jury additionally granted 5 individual awards and distinctions.
• In 1998 three awards were granted: first to Stary Teatr in z Krakow for “Measure for Measure” directed by Tadeusz Bradecki, second to Teatr Ludowy in Nowa Huta for “The Merry Wives of Windsor” directed by Jerzy Stuhr, and the third for Scottish Tragedy Macbeth by Teatr im. Witkacego in Zakopane directed by Bartłomiej Wyszomirski
• In 1999 distinction was granted to „Koriolan” directed by Krzysztof Kopka, Centrum Sztuki Teatr Dramatyczny in Legnica.
• In 2000 the Award was granted to Teatr Powszechny in Warszaw for za “The Merry Wives of Windsor” directed by Piotr Cieplak.
• In 2001 the Award winner was „King Lear” directed by Mikołaj Grabowski of Teatr Nowy in Łodz. Special award for unique actor creation, funded by Bank PKO S.A. went to Zbigniew Zapasiewicz for leading role in „King Lear” directed by Piotr Cieplak of Teatr Powszechny in Warszaw.
• In 2002 Golden Yorick was not granted but the distinction went to . “The Midsummer Night’s Dream” directed by Jerzy Grzegorzewski, Teatr Narodowy in Warsaw.
• In 2003 Golden Yorick went to “The Tempest” directed by Krzysztof Warlikowskiego, Teatr ROZMAITOŚCI in Warsaw. Moreover, distinctio was granted to “Twelfth Night, or What You Will” directed by Katarzyna Deszcz, Teatr Ludowy in Nowa Huta. Additionally there was a special award given to „Morze i Zwierciadło. Komentarz do Burzy Szekspira” directed by Jerzy Grzegorzewski, Teatr Narodowy in Warsaw.
• In 2004 Golden Yorick went to Teatr Nowy in Poznan for “Richard the 3rd” directed by Janusz Wiśniewski. Distinction was granted to “As You Like It” directed by Robert Czechowski, Teatr im. Bogusławskiego in Kalisz.
• In 2005 the winner was “Comedy of Errors” directed by Maciej Prus, Teatr Nowy in Łodz. Jan Klata, however, with his “H.” was awarded Individual Prize for the Best Shakespeare Adaptation.
• In 2006 the main award was not granted. However, distinctions were given – first to Teatr Jeleniogórski for „Romeo and Juliette” directed by Krzysztof Rekowski and second to Teatr Ludowy in Krakow for “Richard the 3rd” directed by Jerzy Stuhr.
• In 2007 “Measure for Measure” directed by Anna Augustynowicz of Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw was awarded Golden Yorick.
• In 2008 the award went to “The Tempest” directed by Janusz Wiśniewski, Teatr Nowy in Poznan. Distinction went to “Hamlet” of Teatr Polski in Wrocław, directed by Monika Pęcikiewicz.
• In 2009 Jury did not grant the main award, though honorable mention was granted to Agata Duda-Gracz for her “Othello. Wariacje na temat”, Teatr im. Stefana Jaracza in Łodz. There was also a 1st distinction granted to Teatr Wybrzeże in Gdańsk for aI Wyróżnienie otrzymał spektakl “The Taming of the Shrew” directed by Szymon Kaczmarek
• In 2010 main award was not granted, however the distinction was given to . Jury nie przyznało głównej nagrody. Wyróżnienie otrzymał spektakl “Twelfth Night, or What You Will” directed by Michał Borczuch, Teatr im. J. Kochanowskiego in Opole.
• In 2011 the Golden Yorick was not granted, however the distinction went to Teatr im. Stefana Żeromskiego in Kielce for “Hamlet” directed by Radosław Rychcik.
• In 2012 the Golden Yorick was granted to “Richard the 3rd” directed by Grzegorz Wiśniewski, Teatr im. Jaracza in Łodz.
• In 2013 Golden Yorick went to “Każdy musi kiedyś umrzeć Porcelanko, czyli rzecz o Wojnie Trojańskiej. Spektakl Agaty Dudy-Gracz inspirowany “Troilusem i Kresydą” Williama Szekspira” Teatr im. Juliusza Słowackiego in Krakow.
• In 2014 “The Taming of the Shrew” directed by Katarzyna Deszcz, Teatr im. Żeromskiego in Kielce received the Golden Yorick.
• In 2015 The Award went to Narodowy Stary Teatr in Krakow for “King Lear” directed by Jan Klata.
• In 2016 Golden Yorick went to Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw for “Julius Ceasar” directed by Barbara Wysocka.
• In 2017 The Award was not granted.
• In 2018 the main award was not granted, however the distinctions went to: Musical Theatre Capitol, Wrocław for “Macbeth” directed by Agata Duda-Gracz and to the Song of the Goat Theatre for “Hamlet, a commentary” directed by Grzegorz Bral.
• In 2019 Golden Yorick went to Nowy Teatr im. Witkacego in Słupsk for „The Merchant of Venice” directed by Szymon Kaczmarek.