St. Bede’s High School in Lytham was the venue for the second festival.

The evening’s adjudicator, Brian Hindle explained how, historically, people from all over the world would flock to see the plays and expressed his hope of a resurgence of the event.

Steph Heney, the show’s organiser, is hoping to achieve this renaissance. Steph herself confesses the One Act Play Festival is still in its infancy and despite there only being two groups performing, we weren’t short of talent not just in acting and direction, but also writing.

Performances by Poulton Drama Group and Our Lady Star of the Sea Operatic and Dramatic Society (OLSSODS) graced the stage for the anticipated audience as we were introduced to “The Coach Trip” under the watchful eye of Brian Hindle. “The Coach Trip” was written by two of the group’s members and tells the tale of a group of women all on a coach to watch a fellow passenger partake in a talent show, playing the spoons! The beauty of the piece not only came from the well written script, but also the fine performances from the wonderful ladies on the stage who each had a tough job to express their individual characters within the story, often done with such ease.

OLSSODS soon followed with their two-person piece, “The Guilt Card” telling the moving, yet heartfelt and often deceiving story of two sisters, one of whom is ill in a home and the other that visits. The tale of the two sisters takes various twists and turns as the audience became engrossed by the wonderful performances from the two actors.

There was a short five-minute pause after each performance in which our adjudicator made his notes and delivered his verdict, never critical, but supportive in his words.

The final decisions were made by the adjudicator and he presented the awards with a speech interspersed with experiences and anecdotes of relevant topics. The winners of the evening were as follows:

Best Play: The Coach Trip

Best Director: Chris Taylor – The Guilt Card

Best Lighting & Sound: The Coach Trip

Best Staging: The Guilt Card

Best Supporting Actor: Caron Holland – The Guilt Card

Best Actor: Catherine Griffiths – The Guilt Card

The One Act Play festival is an annual affair and amateur drama groups are all welcome to enter. Not only do you get the opportunity to showcase your work, but you can promote your drama group and also receive valuable feedback to help build confidence and performance.

If you would like more information on how to enter just visit the following website –

lsa-festival-of-performing-arts.org.uk/festival/speech-and-drama/festival-of-one-act-plays/7