DRAMA FESTIVALS – WHY BOTHER?
by Jackie Tanswell (Wilstead Players)

The extra pressures of time and financial resources needed to present a play in a festival are considerable commitments but there is huge value to be obtained from these events.

Firstly, they provide an exciting learning experience. Friends and family tend to heap praise on a production when it may not always be justified. A well-qualified adjudicator is completely independent and will give helpful constructive comments. If you are serious about your acting and directing you will want to improve your skills and this is an excellent way to achieve this.
   
Secondly, much will be learned from watching other entries and listening to the adjudications they receive. Facets of production, stage-craft, staging, lighting, sound effects, acting techniques, new theatrical genres, all provide ideas which give considerable food for thought and can be called upon in future productions.

Thirdly, by entering, each company becomes part of the festival, which means meeting other people with the same love of theatre. Insularity is broken down, friendly rivalry and even practical help may well emerge. Your group will become more widely known in the areas of festivals you enter.

Lastly, every group must perforce present box-office winners for their own finances, but to grow artistically actors and directors need to keep fresh and extend their range by trying new, unusual or less accessible work. Drama Festivals are places where theatrical risks may be taken.

  
 
 
Jackie Tanswell (centre) has appeared in many of the
Wilstead Players' productions at the BDA Festivals. She
has won many awards for her acting and many of the plays have won through to other rounds in the All England Festival.
  

The word “Festival” suggests a celebration, and that is what should be evident at such an event – drama companies striving for an ever-improving standard of theatre in an exciting, challenging, joyful atmosphere.

So don’t be satisfied with the “Darling, you were wonderful!” from friends and family. Take the bold step and find out the truth from an adjudicator! If you truly were wonderful, how much more gratifying to hear it from an expert!

My own group has been entering festivals for over two decades now and have learned considerably from the experiences, and have progressed to two National All-Winners Finals. The challenges and excitement we get from travelling far and wide with a play would be sorely missed if we were to revert to our previous insular existence.

Adjudicators are often an act in themselves – entertaining as well as knowledgeable. They couch criticism in a constructive way and at an appropriate level so that teams need not recoil from the experience.

Go on – Be Brave! ARE YOU BOLD ENOUGH?