Maidenhead Drama Festival set to return

A highlight of the amateur dramatics calendar is set to return for its 66th year in Maidenhead.

Maidenhead Drama Festival will be held at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts from Wednesday until Saturday, April 20.

A total of 10 dramatic groups will present a range of one-act plays in a bid to be crowned as champions.

The top performing group will have the option to progress to the South Divisional Final of the All England Theatre Festival, which will take place at the centre in Altwood Road on Sunday, April 21.

"It's a great chance for people to try their hand at something new," said Carol Hennessy, a member of the Maidenhead festival's organising committee.

"I think one of the nice things about our festival it that it's a mix of youth and adults, which I think gives the youth a great opportunity to see what other people are doing and also gives the adults a chance to see what the up and coming competition is like."

Last year's winners Young Theatre Beaconsfield are set to return to defend their title.

Runners up Maidenhead Drama Guild and Tarrystone Players will also be taking part.

The event will be adjudicated by Marie O'Sullivan from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators.

Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £9 or £8 concessions.

A season ticket for all four nights costs £25 and entitles the holder to vote for the festival's best comedy.

Visit www.nordenfarm.org or call 01628 788997 to book.

w Maidenhead Drama Festival is looking for new committee members.

Email Carolyn Morley at carolynmorley@tiscali.co.uk for details.