These days there’s a competition for everything from cookery to art and dressmaking to pottery, but a national amateur drama contest goes back a long way.
The All England Theatre Festival, now in its 8th decade, is the only countryside competitive festival of one-act drama in the country and takes place annually over a period of six months.
It’s time for the regional finals once more and the cream of actors from all over the South West will hope to triumph on Saturday 7 May.
The Western Area Final of the Festival takes place at the Merlin and offers a wonderful opportunity to see directing, acting and stage presentation at its most polished level.
Audiences are guaranteed high-quality entertainment since all four of the one-act plays to be presented have already triumphed at two previous, competitive stages.
Winners will come from Festivals at Bristol, Tewkesbury, Shaftesbury and Teignmouth.
Two plays take place in the afternoon of Saturday 7th May, two in the evening, with performances at 2.30pm and 7.00pm. Tickets are £10 for one session, £15 for both.
