CHRISTMAS may be looming, but the Teignmouth Drama Festival committee have another important date on their minds – the One Act Play Festival in March next year.

Preparations are already well underway, invitations have gone out, and groups and societies all over south Devon and beyond are getting their teams ready. Some are still deciding on which play to enter, others have chosen their play but have yet to cast it, and yet others are already in rehearsal.

This time last year was a rather different picture, with the old Carlton Theatre in Teignmouth demolished, and no other suitable venue in the town, the future for the Teignmouth festival seemed uncertain, but with the help and support of the Dawlish Repertory Company, it was able to go ahead at the Shaftesbury Theatre in Dawlish, and was a great success.

‘This was due in no small part to the warmth and hospitality shown by The Dawlish Repertory Company to us. Visiting teams, the adjudicator, and the audiences were unanimous in their approval, praising the theatre, the technical facilities, the support of backstage crew, the welcoming front of house staff and, not least, the very comfortable bar and lounge area,’ said Freda Welton, from the committee.

‘The consensus was that the Shaftesbury Theatre is very well suited to meet the particular – sometimes peculiar – demands of a drama festival, so we are very pleased to announce that the festival will be returning there in 2017.

‘This year’s adjudicator will be the eminently qualified Sonia Woolley, and there will be nine cups or shields to be won. As the Teignmouth festival is part of the prestigious All England Theatre Festival, the winners have the opportunity to go on to further rounds if they wish.’

Ms Welton adds that if a group has not yet received an invitation to join the fun, they should contact her on 01626 775140, or email oneactfestival21@

gmail.com.