The Cumbria Drama Festival a preliminary round of the All England Theatre Festival Programme for 2013

Reg. Charity No. 1071518

The 2013 Festival - Saturday, March 9th, at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands

This year, sady, we had only two entries - but at least that’s two more than in our neighbouring district of West Pennine. Ever optimistic, and on the basis of promises received, we are hoping for an improvement next year. The good news was that we reduced the ticket price!

Admission prices: Adults £5, OAPs £4.50.
(We felt that this programme was unlikely to appeal to children.)

Plays Performed  

Saturday, March 9th, from 7.00 pm
Cumbria Amateur Theatre Society (CATS) But Yesterday by Jimmie Chinn Director: JENNY SHIPLEY Stage Manager: GEOFF SCHOFIELD>
Time: the fifties and before. Prior to leaving on a journey Robert comes back to the garden of his childhood and relives moments from his past, which become mingled with the present. Sound and light do much to evoke the atmosphere and we learn of Robert's gradual desertion of his childhood beliefs and hopes. Two men in shadow have accompanied him on this last visit and they escort him to his new life leaving behind a hurt, bewildered family.
Cast
Robert Howard Chloe Ruth Woman Two Men	RAY TURNER SEAMUS DORAN KATH SMITH BERYL DIXON LESLEY SKELTON GEOFF SCHOFIELD BILL CALVERT
Burton Amateur Dramatic Society Permission to Cry by David Campton Director and Stage Manager: IAN STOKES
Julia Gibbon, a junior minister at the Home Office, is Thrown into turmoil by the conflict between private and public morality. Whilst giving a speech in her constituency, her mind keeps going back over recent events in a series of dreamlike flashbacks. Her partner, Penelope Wright, a frank and forthright journalist, very much a thorn in the side of the Establishment, has been killed at an anti-government rally. Her death forces Julia, who has kept quiet about her private life, to confront insecurities and doubts she never knew she had and now fears exposure in the tabloids.
Cast:
Julia Gibbon, MP Councillor Eldon-Pugh Susan Little Penelope Wright (“Pen”) Dr Semple	SUE STOKES PAULA FIRTH NICOLA HILLS FELICITY HOLLOWAY ALYSON YATES

The Adjudicator - Mr Robert Meadows, GoDA

Robert has adjudicated for the Cheshire Theatre Guild Full Length Play Festival (2002-3, 2009-11) Stoke on Trent Full Length Play Festival (2003-5), NSD Full Length Festival (2005-10), Shropshire One Act Festival (2004), Isle of Man Festival (2004), ISA Schools Drama Festival (2005-7), the Guernsey One Act Play Festival (2005), Wilmslow One Act Play Festival (2005-6, 2009), Larne Full Drama Festival. (2006), Bangor Full Length Play Festival (2009). Elmbridge Drama Festival (2010), Welwyn Drama Festival (2010), Portadown Full Length Play Festival (2011) and, in 2012, the Bristol, Nidderdale, and Harold Joliffe One Act Play Festivals and the Woking Drama Festival. He has adjudicated for the Northern, Southern and Western Division preliminary, quarter and semi-final rounds of the All England Theatre Festival over the past 12 years.

His writing credits include: Dawn of the Crows (2011), Underwych (2007), Salt Tellers (2005), The Marbury Mysteries (2002), Victory V (1995), A Stroll in the Park (1992) and A Rough and Ready Lot. His original adaptations include The Rocking (1994), The Night of the House of Horrors (1998), The Death of Kings (2001). Other works include A Martyr For a Cause (1983), The Conscience of the King (1995), Chicken and Mustard (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.

His day job is as an arts and education trainer and consultant working with schools and cultural organisations across the UK and Europe.

Robert has always enjoyed the experience of drama festivals both as a participating actor or director and as an adjudicator. He is looking forward to being the adjudicator for this year’s festival.

Trophies Awarded

The Elaine Richardson Trophy - for the winning company
Awarded to CATS

The South Lakeland District Council Trophy - for the best individual performance
Awarded to Sue Stokes (Burton)

The Sir John Fisher Trophy - for the best actor under 21
No eligible candidates

The Lady Maria Fisher Trophy - for the best supporting role
Awarded to Lesley Skelton (CATS)

The Renaissance Theatre Trust Award - adjudicator’s discretionary award
Awarded to CATS, for sound and effects

The Doreen Brockbank Trophy - for set decor
Awaerded to CATS

The New Generation Trophy - an award for merit
Awarded to Felicity Holloway (Burton)

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: The Victoria Hall, Grange-over=Sands Date: May 4th, 2013 Adjudicator: Richard Woodward
Northern Semi-Final	Venue: Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond Date: May 18th, 2013 Adjudicator: Chris Jaeger
English Final	Venue: The Regent Theatre, Christchurch Date: 8th June, 2013 Adjudicator: Jan Palmer-Sayer
British Finals	Venue: Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry Date: 5th/6th July, 2013 Adjudicator: Tom Doherty