All England Theatre Festival Programme and Results for North West Quarter-Final Programme for 2008

Reg. Charity No. 1071518

The Festival

The 2008 North West Quarter-Final was held at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, on Saturday May 10th. This year we havd only three teams, since the winner of the Isle of Man festival hailed from the Republic of Ireland and was therefore ineligible for the All England festival, whilst the runners up were unable to come, owing to other commitments.

Plays Performed

Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Representing the Cumbria District Cumbria Amateur Theatre Society Lunch Hour by JOHN MORTIMER Director: JENNY SHIPLEY Stage Manager: JEAN HOWARTH
The play is set in a bedroom of a small hotel near King’s Cross. It is exactly 1 pm on a winter’s day. A middle-aged man and a younger woman meet up for a “brief encounter” in the bedroom of a small hotel. The afternoon, however, does not proceed as the man planned, for the woman seems to be having second thoughts. Is her reticence because of her disappointment at the seedy hotel room or is there something more unfathomable about her?
Cast
The man The girl The manageress	RAY TURNER LESLEY SKELTON BERYL DIXON
Representing the West Pennine District Preston Drama Club Henna Night by AMY ROSENTHAL Director: Dennis Yardley Stage Manager: Dave Kent
The action takes place in Judith's very basic London bedsit. Time: The present
Cast
Judith Ros	awaiting information awaiting information
Representing the Dee and Merseyside District KICK YOUTH THEATRE Our Little Secret by DONNA L PRICE Director: DONNA L PRICE Stage Manager: RICHIE GRICE
“Things build up.” “Things build up inside.” “Ssssh! It’s our little secret!”
Cast
Good Conscience / Narrator 1 Bad Conscience / Narrator 2 Joanne Burns Ruth Mr James Samuel James Rosie Beth Alex Danny Voice Amy Emma Ethan Social Worker Jessica Burns Natalie	MARY COOPER ADAM HOLDEN HELEN ADAMS ANNIE CASEY ADAM HOLDEN MICKLE FARGHER JULIET USHER ANNIE CASEY MICKLE FARGHER ADAM HOLDEN RICHIE GRICE JANE CLARKE REBECCA THORNTON MICKLE FARGHER MEGAN GRICE JANE CLARKE MARY COOPER

The Adjudicator - Mr Jeff Brailsford

Jeff has been involved in amateur drama since 1966, initially as “apprentice” - serving tea, building sets, delivering posters, watching, listening and learning. – and, later, as actor and director. Indeed, directing is his first love. he finds the challenge of drawing performances out of actors and constructing a whole production from its various disparate parts supremely satisfying.

He has always been involved in competitive drama, either the season-long competition or the full-length or one-act festival. He acknowledges that, over the years, he has been lucky enough toplay with and for, and to direct and learn from, some of the very best amateur actors, directors and technicians.

He joined GODA in 2003, having spent some years adjudicating peripatetic festivals in the North West where he lives. He is married with two daughters and a gorgeous granddaughter and still enjoys both his day job and his hobby.

“I’m looking forward very much to my second visit to Grange-over-Sands,” says Jeff.

Trophies To Be Awarded

The Magrath Trophy - for the winning company
Awarded to Preston Drama Club

The Barbara Williamson Trophy - for set decor
Awarded to Preston drama Club

Subsequent Rounds of The All England Festival and British Final
Northern Semi-Final	Venue: Preston Playhouse, Preston Date: May 24th, 2007 Adjudicator: Scott Marshall
English Final	Venue: Thameside Theatre, Grays, Essex Date: 14th June, 2008 Adjudicator: Mike Tilbury
British Final	Venue: Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea Date: 4th/5th July, 2008 Adjudicator: Chris Jaeger