The
Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel:
01883 713669
Email: Barntheatre
@btinternet.com
Southern Counties Drama Festival
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The Southern Counties Drama Festival
The Southern Counties Drama Festival (previously The Betchworth Festival) has been an important part of local amateur dramatics in Surrey and Kent for a great many years. Traditionally, the venue had moved around with different groups hosting the event each year but as time moved on standards of technical facilities were found lacking in some of these venues, which were after all, in the main, church halls hurridly converted for theatre use on the morning of the technical rehearsals. In 1989 the festival was at risk of being cancelled due to a lack of a suitable venue with technicians and the Barn Theatre boldly offered to provide both, not only for that year but on a permanent basis. The festival was a success and since that time the Barn has been home to the Betchworth Festival, now renamed the Southern Counties Drama Festival, under the auspices of the Festival Committee.
There was no festival in 2006 and the Festival Committee indicated an unwillingness to carry on for 2007, which put the future of the festival at risk. However, the Barn Trustees, under the leadership of the Artistic Director, Martin Patrick, quickly assembled an enthusiastic and experienced team to fulfil the committee obligations, with the result that plans are already underway to make the February 2007 Southern Counties Drama Festival one of the best yet.
The All-England Theatre Festival
The All-England Theatre Festival has a history dating back to 1919 when the British Drama League was formed. By June 1923 there were 360 affiliated societies which included amateur and professional bodies.
In 1926 professionals were expressing concern that the rapid growth of amateur drama was likely to cause problems with too many people trying to enter an already overcrowded profession. This interest had started a British 'Festival of Community Drama' which was used to find an entry for the American New York Little Theatre Tournament. Other aspects of the League's work included the making of a substantial contribution to the Stratford-on-Avon Memorial Theatre, visits to Europe to help establish festivals and the organisation of summer schools.
In 1938 the final of the National Festival was held outside London for the first time, following the invitation of the Scottish Community Drama Association. Entries had totalled 602. The war brought a significant reduction in the League's membership but activities continued as best they could throughout. The emphasis changed somewhat to encourage Youth Clubs and military units for educational purposes.
After the war the regions started to organise their own festivals and the First England only Final was held in 1947. The organisation of subsequent annual Finals eventually became the remit of the All-England Theatre Festival.
How it works...
The All-England Theatre Festival organises an eliminating series of festivals which leads ultimately to the English final.
The winner of the English Final goes on to compete against the winners of similar festivals in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
England is divided into four Areas for the purposes of this Festival: Northern, Central, Eastern and Western.
Each Area is divided into a number of Divisions according to the size and/or history of the individual Areas.
Southern Counties Drama Festival 2008
The Festival will take place from 26th February to 1st March 2008 and be adjudicated by Colin Dolley G.O.D.A.
If you wish to be part of this 'fun' festival you can obtain more information by contacting:
The Secretary
Southern Counties Drama Festival
15a High Street
Westerham
Kent
TN16 1RATelephone 01959 561811 or e-mail sc.df@btinternet.com
Southern Counties Drama Festival (Betchworth) Awards
The next Southern Counties Drama Festival will take place from 23rd - 28th February 2009.
The All England Theatre Festival Quarter Finals will take place at The Playhouse Theatre, Walton-on-Thames on 8th March 2009.
