As last year, the GDL's one-act festival was not held at the Berwyn Centre, Nantymoel, its long-standing home. A decline in audiences, and transport difficulties led the committee to experiment with moving the festival elsewhere, so in 2005 it was held at the Players' Theatre in the YMCA in Cardiff, and this year, was warmly welcomed to the Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea, hosted by Swansea Little Theatre.
The festival ran for 2 nights this year, with all productions from GDL member companies and there were good houses on both nights. The entered productions were supported by extract-based pieces on the joys (and otherwise!) of "The Theatre" by a super team from Swansea Little Theatre.
The standard, across the two nights, was extremely high, with a mixture of new writing (Cardiff Players), large and small groups, comedy and seriously moving works, and two shows from Cardiff youth group The Unknown Theatre Company, who are new to the competition.
The date of this year's Festival was much earlier than usual (and earlier than the GDL committee would have liked), but to fit into the calendar of festivals across Wales, there was no option but to hold it on this weekend. It did, however, mean that several companies who regularly participate were unable to do so this time, but who hope to be involved again next year, when it is hoped that the Festival will return to its usual slot later in the year.
GODA Adjudicator, George Owen, was to have visited all the Festivals in Wales, but unfortunately, he was taken ill not long after his visit to Swansea, and his role was then taken over by 2 other GODA adjudicators.
Orbit were invited to perform at the All-Wales final, where, to all accounts, they did a superb job: providing both an entertaining show for the audiences, as well as representing the GDL membership with charm and discretion.
Sadly, they were not the overall winners of the night: that honour fell to Clwyd's representatives.
The Wales Final Festival of One Act Plays was on 2-3 June in the Emlyn Williams Studio, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold. Chris Moore was the Adjudicator. The winner was from Clwyd.
Dates for the British Final Festival of One-Act Plays were 30 June - 1 July in Perth Theatre, erth, Scotland. The Adjudicator for the British Final was Brian Marshbanks.
Winners at the 2006 Festival were: (photos to follow shortly)
name of award |
winner |
production |
group |
Glamorgan County Cup for the Glamorgan Drama League production to attain the highest marks in the competition |
The Company | The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard | Orbit Theatre Company, Cardiff |
Best Individual Performance Award |
Brian Willis as The Guard | Forward to the Right by Lily Ann Green | Swansea Little Theatre |
Best Comedy Performance Award
|
Suzie Rees as Mrs Drudge | The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard | Orbit Theatre Company, Cardiff |
Youth Trophy - NEW AWARD for 2006 donated by Mari Major |
The Company | Edward Albee's The Zoo Story | The Unknown Theatre Company, Cardiff |
The Adjudicator's Award |
The Company | Can't Stand Up for Falling Down by Richard Cameron | The Unknown Theatre Company, Cardiff |
Entries for the 2006 Festival came from:
| Friday | ||
| Cardiff Players | Aunt Attack | Geoff Lake |
| Swansea Little Theatre | Forward to the Right | Lily Ann Green |
| Gower Festival Players | Murder at the Wedding | Wally Richards |
| Saturday | ||
| The Unknown Theatre Company | The Zoo Story | Edward Albee |
| Orbit Theatre Company | The Real Inspector Hound | Tom Stoppard |
| The Unknown Theatre Company | Can't Stand Up for Falling Down | Richard Cameron |
| Cabaret performances both nights from Swansea Little Theatre | ||
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Updated: 25.07.07
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