Festival Entry Rules

Any bona fide adult amateur Society, or recognised Youth Theatre, the accepted definition of a bona fide society is ‘a constituted group’.

All players must be amateur, i.e. with the exception of those under 18, any actor who has had a credited, paid-for role in a Commercial production in the year ending 1st September prior to a festival performance is ineligible to take part. It is the responsibility of the competing club to adhere to this rule, and any breach will result in disqualification.

All performances are subject to the Theatres Act 1968 and must comply with its provisions regarding plays.

The entry will be a One-Act Play or an extract from a longer play. The accepted definition of a one-act entry is ‘a coherent piece of mainly spoken drama’.

No play in copyright may be performed without production of its performance licence and written permission must be provided for any cuts or alterations.

The performance must be performed as per the script provided for the adjudicator, which must be with the adjudicator at least three weeks before the performance.

Only hard copies of scripts are accepted. Photocopies are only acceptable with the written permission of the publishers.

Each entry must have two or more actors appearing and speaking. (This does not exclude other forms of communication, such as British Sign Language or mime).

The length of performance of the entry shall be not less than 20 minutes and not more than 55 minutes, including any time spent in changing a scene in the course of a performance or time used to set the mood by the cast or music before the tabs open. Performance commences with the start of the music, from the moment the curtain starts to open or when there is a clear change of state, e.g. to draw audience attention to the production.

Each team will be allowed 10 minutes for setting and 5 minutes for striking their set.

The penalty for timing violations is one mark for each minute (or part minute) under or over the specified limit. Beyond five minutes, the team will be disqualified. Any errors that occur will be announced by the organising secretary of the festival.

Any set or scenery must be free standing within the provided ‘black box’ acting area.

Societies have a duty to co-operate with the Festival Stage Director in adhering to the theatre’s safety rules and attending all safety briefings as required, please be aware that there may be different requirements in each country.

Societies must give advance notice to the Festival Stage Director of any additional equipment, which must comply with the theatre’s requirements. This includes effects such as naked lights or smoking, firearms or pistol shots, knives or swords, strobes etc which the theatre will need to be made aware of.

The use of any kind of microphone will not be allowed to enhance an actor’s vocal projection. Microphones may still be used as a sound effect.

The adjudicator will give a public adjudication of each entry and, at the end of the Festival, give the organisers a copy of the marks awarded.

The adjudicator will use the following marking system:

The adjudicator’s decision is final.