The Cumbria Drama Festival a preliminary round of the All England Theatre Festival Programme and Results for 2003

Reg. Charity No. 1071518

The 2003 Festival - March 7th-8th

The 2003 festival, held once again at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands, saw a significant upturn in the number of entries, a trend which we hope will continue in years to come. Details of all the entries and trophy winners are given below.

Plays Performed

Friday March 7th, 2003 C.A.T.S. Alas Poor Fred by JAMES SAUNDERS Director: JENNY SHIPLEY Stage Manager: EMMA SMYTH Setting: A drawing room.  Anywhere.  Time: Any time of day or night. Ernest Pringle and his wife are chatting about how funny it must be to be cut in half, as Fred was. Cast Ethel Pringle Ernest Pringle KATH SMITH KEN SMYTH Swarthmoor Drama Group A Respectable Funeral by JIMMIE CHINN Director: NEIL DOUGLAS Stage Manager: KEVIN DOWDALL Twenty-something years ago, Joyce, Evadne and Greta, three sisters, returned to their mother’s house after her funeral. Brother Charlie was not with them and he had not been at the funeral. We join with them as they discuss Mother’s last days, reminiscing and reflecting on personal moments and wider family issues as well as planning on how to spend their inheritance. Why wasn’t Charlie at the funeral? He should have been there. Cast Evadne Joyce Greta Charlie JAN GOUGH SUE WILSON SHEILA FOOTE RON HODGSON Da Feata Da Caf by KATE WALFORD and JENNY HEATH Director: KATE WALFORD Stage Manager: LUCY WILLIAMSON Set in a cafe in the East End of London in 2003, the action focuses on Chloe and Michelle, who work in Da Caf; it’s a dull old day ... Cast Michelle Chloe KATE WALFORD JENNY HEATH

Saturday March 8th, 2003 Black Sheep Theatre Group The Last Invasion by NICHOLAS CORDER Director: IAN HINDE Stage Manager: IAN STOKES Setting: Paris, 1792. A dying sailor reminisces about the last invasion of England. Cast John Paul Jones Wallingford / Sailor Freeman / Father Surgeon Green / Sailor Clarice / Meyer / Sentry Marie / Mother / Sentry Reporter Preacher Barmaid Privateer ROB BRIGHT DAVID ROSBOTTOM * WADVERN DAVIES DAN THOMAS SUE STOKES PAULINE CORDER IAN STOKES NICHOLAS CORDER LESLEY HARRIS GARETH DOUGLAS-BROWN * denotes player under 21 years of age. Barrow Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society Last Tango in Little Grimley by DAVID TRISTRAM Director: KENNETH SMYTH Stage Manager: ROBIN LEE Setting: A rehearsal room. Time: The present. A struggling amateur society is desperate to find a successful production. Cast Gordon Bernard Margaret Joyce BILL CALVERT SEAMUS DORAN CAROL HANNAH HELEN NEWELL

The Adjudicator - Mr Kevin Robinson GODA

Kevin studied French at Liverpool University and Drama at the Paris Sorbonne and Bristol University. He began his career in the theatre at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter as an Assistant Stage Manager (wages £7 a week!). He gradually gained experience in all the backstage departments including wardrobe, lighting, prop making and even working behind the bar! Eventually he became Associate Director of the Northcott.

On moving to London in 1975 he became Staff Director on the first production of “The Rocky Horror Show” and “Oh Calcutta!” (during the latter engagement he had to give notes to a totally naked cast!). He subsequently directed at many repertory theatres in Britain including Crewe, Canterbury, Derby and Liverpool where his production of “The Three Sisters” broke box office records. His touring production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” was sent by the British Council to Egypt and his productions of “She Stoops to Conquer” and “The Playboy of the Western World” were seen in Pakistan. He was the Director of the West End musical “Elvis” in 1980, which he also directed in Australia.

After a time as Director of Productions for The Bubble Theatre, London, Kevin was invited to direct in Denmark where he has been a regular Director ever since, having taught himself Danish! His many Danish productions include “My Fair Lady”, “Shirley Valentine”, “The City of Angels” and “Blood Brothers”. The latter picking up two Scandinavian awards.

Kevin conducts workshops at the Actors Centre in London and lectures on “The Development of the Musical”. He was Director of the first production of “The Cornish Cycle of Mystery Plays” since 1500AD! He was also a founder member and principal Director of PATH - an integrated theatre group working with the mentally and physically handicapped.

He has been Guest Tutor/Director at several theatre schools including RADA, LAMDA, The Guildhall and Welsh Colleges of Music and Drama and theatre schools in Denmark. He is a Guest Director at the British American Drama Academy where he directed a production of “Macbeth” with 13 actresses! He has been a member of GODA for five years. His hobbies are cooking and watching Coronation Street - but never at the same time!

Trophies to be Awarded

The Elaine Richardson Trophy - for the winning company
Awarded to Swarthmoor Drama Group for A Respectable Funeral.

The South Lakeland District Council Trophy - for the best individual performance
Awarded to Rob Bright, of the Black Sheep Theatre Group.

The Sir John Fisher Trophy - for the best actor under 21
Only 1 eligible candidate. Not awarded.

The Lady Maria Fisher Trophy - for the best supporting role
Awarded to Jan Gough of Swarthmoor Drama Group.

The Renaissance Theatre Trust Award - adjudicator’s discretionary award
Awarded to Nicholas Corder, of the Black Sheep Theatre Group.

The Doreen Brockbank Trophy - for set decor
Awarded to the Black Sheep Theatre Group.

The New Generation Trophy - an award for merit
Awarded to Kate Walford and Jenny Heath of Da Feata Society

The David Shipley Memorial Trophy - for backstage work
Awarded to Swarthmoor Drama Group

Subsequent Rounds of The All England Festival and British Final
North West Divisional Final	Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands 3rd May, 2003 Adjudicator: Geoffrey Annis Winners: Swarthmoor Drama Group A Respectable Funeral by Jimmie Chinn
Northern Area Final	Rowntree Theatre, York 10th May, 2003 Adjudicator: Vivienne Glover Winners: Dewsbury Arts Group The Duck Variations by David Mamet
English Final	Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight 14th June, 2003 Adjudicator: Richard Woodward Winners: St. Austell Players On The Road Again by Laurence Allan
British Final	Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, Isle of Man 4th/5th July 2003 Adjudicator: Russell Whiteley Winners: Kirkton Players The Steamie (abridged version) by Tony Roper