The Cumbria Drama Festival a preliminary round of the All England Theatre Festival Programme for 2009

Reg. Charity No. 1071518

The 2009 Festival - March 14th, at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands

Ever hopeful that we might get more entries than we did in 2008, we initially reserved two evenings at the Victoria Hall. However, five out of an expected seven entries evaporated at the last minute so we are down to only two entries. Once again, therefore, we had a one-session festival.

Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Gosforth Amateur Dramatic Society Five Kinds of Silence by SHELAGH STEPHENSON Director: DAVID EDWARDS Stage Manager: MIKE HILL
Billy is murdered in the family home by his two daughters. In a mixture of present and flashbacks, we follow the dark history leading to this crime. A compelling drama which has been lent reality by recent cases that have come to the public’s notice.
Cast
Billy Mary Susan Janet Policeman et al Policewoman et al	DAVID EDWARDS MARION CHADWICK BENITA FINCH DYANE SILVESTER STEVE POLLARD JULIE HADDOCK
This play contains themes which some may find disturbing.
CATS From Here To The Library by JIMMIE CHINN Director: BERYL DIXON Stage Manager: JEAN HOWARTH
Place: A living room in Lancashire  Time: Mid afternoon Beryl Tidy lives with her dominating father who demands all her attention. Her only escape from his demands is her work at the local library. However, Beryl one day throws an uncharacteristic fit of temper at work, then goes home and fails to return. Mr Gostilow visits her at home to find out why.
Cast
Beryl Tidy Mr Gostilow Dad	JENNY SHIPLEY RAY TURNER SEAMUS DORAN

The Adjudicator - Mr Robert Meadows, GODA

Robert has adjudicated for the Cheshire Theatre Guild Full Length Play Festival (2002-3) Stoke on Trent Full Length Play Festival (2003-5), NSD Full Length Festival (2005-09), Shropshire One Act Festival (2004), Isle of Man Festival (2004), ISA Schools Drama Festival (2005-7, the Guernsey One Act Play Festival (2005) and the Larne Full Drama Festival. (2006). He has adjudicated for the Northern, Southern and Western Division rounds of the All England Theatre Festival for one-act plays over the last three years.

His writing credits include: Underwych (HLF 2007) Salt Tellers (Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund 2005) The Marbury Mysteries (Funded by the Local Heritage Initiative, performed in July 2002), Victory V (1995), A Stroll in the Park (Funded by Cheshire County Council 1992) and A Rough and Ready Lot. His work for school and youth groups include The Robyns of Sherwood (1987), Robinson Crusoe PLC (1988 Peepshow Productions), Benenza (First performed in 1989), Vampirella (1991), The Beggars’ Music Hall (1993), Snow White: Licensed for Dwarves (1995) and Tales of the Shiprats (1996). His original adaptations include The Rocking (1994), The Night of the House of Horrors (1998) The Death of Kings (The Shakespeare Theatre, Calgary, Canada in May 2001). Other works include A Martyr For a Cause (Gateway Theatre 19983), The Conscience of the King (1995 Bridport), Chicken and Mustard (First performed Sherman Theatre, Cardiff 1987), Dead Wood Rising (1999) and The Underwich Project (2001). He has devised and scripted murder evenings that have been performed in venues across the country.

He has also written and directed award-winning productions for the amateur stage. For many years he was chairman of one of Cheshire’s leading drama groups

Robert has always enjoyed the experience of drama festivals both as a participating actor or director and as an adjudicator.

Trophies Awarded

The Elaine Richardson Trophy - for the winning company
awarded to CATS for From Here to The Library

The South Lakeland District Council Trophy - for the best individual performance
Awarded to Jenny Shipley for her performance in From Here to The Library

The Sir John Fisher Trophy - for the best actor under 21
No eligible candidates. Not awarded.

The Lady Maria Fisher Trophy - for the best supporting role
Awarded to Benita Finch for her performance in Five Kinds of Silence

The Renaissance Theatre Trust Award - adjudicator’s discretionary award
Awarded to Marion Chadwick

The Doreen Brockbank Trophy - for set decor
Awarded to CATS for the set of From Here to The Library

The New Generation Trophy - an award for potential
Awarded to Dyane Silvester

The David Shipley Memorial Trophy - for backstage work
Not awarded

Subsequent Rounds of The All England Festival and British Final
North West Quarter-Final	Venue: Heswall Hall, Heswall, Wirral Date: May 9th, 2009 Adjudicator: Derek Slater
Northern Semi-Final	Venue: Saltburn Community Theatre, Saltburn Date: May 23rd, 2009 Adjudicator: Russell Whiteley
English Final	Venue: Strode Theatre, Street, Somerset Date: 9th June, 2009 Adjudicator: Tony Rushforth
British Final	Venue: Ardowen Theatre, Enniskillen Date: 3rd/4th July, 2009 Adjudicator: Walker Ewart