Drama festival success for Tamworth theatre groups
An exciting four-night run of theatre was an outstanding success last month following the 2018 Tamworth Hastilow Drama Festival, featuring a series of one act plays by the region’s best amateur dramatic groups.
Nine adult and youth theatre companies from Tamworth and the wider area competed throughout the festival, with up to three plays being performed each night from Wednesday, March 14, to Saturday, March 17.
The nightly drama unfolded at the Two Rivers High School Theatre, where audiences enjoyed a high standard of performances scored by GoDA festival adjudicator Sue Doherty.
The overall festival winners were announced as IMPACT Senior Youth Theatre from Tamworth. Their production of Grimm Tales by Carol- Ann Duffy and Tim Supple impressed both audiences and adjudicator and they now progress through to the central division quarter finals on Saturday, April 21 at the Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton. Joining them will be previous winners TACT, whose production of The Thrill of Love also awarded them a place in the quarter finals in Burton on April 21.
Awards include:
THE JOY BIGOTT CUP - for ‘Best Stage Presentation’ (set,props,costumes) to TACT – The Thrill Of Love
THE JOHNSON CUP- for ‘Best Female Actor under 18’ to Emily Bradley – Belfrey Youth Theatre
THE HAROLD RHEAD TROPHY – for ‘Best All Male or All Female Cast’ to Little Acorn Production Company
THE HASTILOW CUP – for ‘Best Original Script’ to The Last Communist by Srikumar Mallick (EINC Drama Group)
THE EASON CUP – ‘for Best Director’ to Sue Fortune / Rebecca Fortune – Grimm Tales
Tamworth Hastilow Drama Festival has been sponsored by the Staffordshire County Council Community Fund.
Sue Fortune, organiser of Hastilow Drama Festival, said: “This year’s festival was again a most enjoyable experience with a very high standard of performance and creative achievements. All groups have worked very hard and we are delighted with the overall winning award.
“IMPACT Youth Theatre will be taking on new students from April 20 age 7 years to 18 years. Please contact me at suetact@gmail for more details of how to become part of this award-winning group.”
It is the first in a new season of ‘Assembly Rooms on Tour’ events, which will see performances being taken out into the community this spring to ensure audiences and theatre groups continue to benefit from live entertainment during the refurbishment of the historic theatre.
Further information can be found at: www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk, from the Tourist Information Centre in Marmion House, Lichfield Street, or by calling the Box Office on 01827 709618.
