News
Cheshire Drama Festival Success
January 15, 2020
In September 2018 we were delighted to announce the launch of THE CHESHIRE ONE ACT DRAMA FESTIVAL which would take place in March 2019 at Nantwich Players Theatre. This was to be a new annual event as part of The All England Theatre Festival (AETF) and NDFA.
Over recent years the North West has seen the demise of some of its preliminary rounds, leaving only The Leverhulme Drama Festival (Merseyside) and the Isle of Man competing in the region. Cheshire was to be a welcome addition to the North West’s festival circuit.
The inaugural festival was held Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st March 2019 and was a resounding success with six teams taking part from across Cheshire and was adjudicated by Mike Kaiser. The winners – Nantwich Players with “Edgar & Annabel” were to go on to win the semi-final and perform at the English final of AETF, as well as the All Winners Festival (NDFA).
Building on the success of this small festival, the baton has been handed to Macclesfield MADS who will host and run the festival for 2020. Their large stage and auditorium will welcome more teams over three or four sessions from Friday 13TH – Sunday 15th March 2020. This year the adjudicator is Jenny Scott-Reid. John Chandler of MADS will take over as chairperson of Cheshire Drama Festival for this year with Sandie Laughlin (Nantwich) remaining as Treasurer.
It is hoped that for 2021 a new Cheshire host will carry the mantel so that another venue can be part of the Cheshire Drama Festival.
As the original festival organisers, we are confident the CDF will go from strength to strength and would like to express our thanks to everyone who helped us get it off the ground last year.
Sue Doherty GoDA and Bev Clark GoDA
Russell Whiteley
April 30, 2018
With great sadness, we have to announce that Russell Whiteley peacefully passed away at Leeds General Infirmary on Saturday 21st April, following an accident at his home.
A Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday 16th May at St John the Baptist Church, Normanton at 12pm prior to cremation at Pontefract Crematorium.
A full obituary will appear in the next edition of Asides.