CAMBRIDGE DRAMA FESTIVAL 2016
the week of 25th – 30th April at the Mumford Theatre, East Road, Cambridge.
RULES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
AWARDS
*
First
*
Second
*
Third
*
Best Actor
*
Best Actress
*
Best Cameo Performance
*
Best Junior Group
*
*
*
*
Best actor 18 or under
Best actress 18 or under
Adjudicator’s Award
Backstage Award
*
*
*
*
*
*
Best Stage Presentation
Best Original Play
Lighting
Costume
Sound
Audience Appreciation Award
Trophy
Trophy
Trophy
Cup
Miriam Rundle Memorial Cup
Marjorie Ticehurst Memorial Salver
Trophy (Age limit - 18 years or under on
day of performance.)
Angela Lewsey Award
Stagefright Award
Trophy
Cadbury Schweppes Trophy
(Awarded by the Festival’s technical team)
Pye & Philips Trophy
Cup (See notes below)
Roland Carter Award
Mary Penson Memorial Trophy
Radio Cambridgeshire Cup
Rodney Salver
Note. The adjudicator has the right to withhold an award if he/she considers that the standard reached is
not sufficiently high.
Please read the following information carefully, paying particular attention to your obligations regarding
COPYRIGHT.
PRIZES
1.
All trophies won at the 2015 festival must be returned to Rosemary Eason, 22, Trinity Close, Balsham,
Cambridge, CB21 6DW (01223 893859) – rosemaryeason@icloud.com
2.
The cups and trophies awarded in the various categories shown above will be presented at a ceremony
following the final adjudication on Saturday night, 30th April.
All competing teams must arrange for one of their number to attend this ceremony or to nominate a
representative who will be present at that time.
ENTRIES
1.
Each company taking part must consist of members of a bona fide amateur group and all performers
must be amateurs i.e. must act (without payment) only in their leisure time.
2.
Technical and Programme details should be sent to the appropriate committee member by Monday,
21st March - more details later. However, if you are entering Cambridge for the first time, and would like to
see the theatre before this date, our technical team can arrange this for you.
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THE PERFORMANCE
1.
The work offered by a competing company must be either (a) a one-act play,
(b) an extract from a longer play, or (c) some other form of theatrical performance.
It must also have a minimum of two speaking parts; monologues are not acceptable
2.
Companies offering a new play should note that the *New Play Award will be given to the author of
the best play performed at the festival that, on the closing date of entry, (a) is unpublished, (b) has not been
performed professionally, (c) has not won a New Play Award in any competition and that (d) any previous
performance must have been within 12 months of the opening date of the festival.
3.
Each entry must be at least 20 minutes in length but must not exceed the time limit of 55 minutes. It is
important that companies should accurately describe the length of their play when submitting their entries so
that we can organise the programme appropriately.
4.
10 minutes will be allowed for setting and 5 minutes for striking the setting for each entry. The Festival
Stage Manager will check that teams are ready to begin.
5.
The penalties for not keeping within the allotted times are:
Up to 1 minute over or under time
1 mark
Up to 2 minutes over or under time
3 marks
Up to 3 minutes over or under time
6 marks
Up to 4 minutes over or under time
10 marks
Up to 5 minutes over or under time
15 marks
5 minutes over or under time
Disqualification
6.
Companies should note that RULE 5 will be strictly enforced by an official time-keeper. The Festival
Stage Manager’s decision on this and all other backstage matters will be final.
7.
COPYRIGHT: If an entry is copyright, it is the responsibility of the company to see that the author’s
permission is obtained for the performance and that any royalty fees have been paid in advance. It is also
the responsibility of the company to obtain appropriate permission for the use of music and effects in the
performance. Documentary evidence of the payment of the appropriate permission, royalties or fees MUST
be presented to the Festival Stage Manager prior to the performance.
8.
The play performed must be as submitted. Any significant changes to the script must be received by
the Festival Secretary no later than 3 weeks prior to the opening of the Festival, accompanied by the written
permission of the author where relevant.
9.
SEATING IN THE AUDITORIUM: Cast, and named members of the back-stage crew up to a maximum of
6 will be given passes for seats in the auditorium (subject to availability).
For general supporters, tickets are available from the Festival Box Office.
PRESENTATION
1.
The Mumford Theatre’s Technical Director will be in control of the switchboard and lighting equipment
under the direction of each competing company.
2.
The Technical Director must be informed of the music and sound effects to be used, and any sound
reproduction equipment which a competing company may wish to use must have the Technical Director’s
approval.
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3.
Stage effects which present a fire hazard will not be allowed. Effects such as smoking or the firing of
guns may, in certain circumstances be allowed, provided permission has been sought and obtained from the
Fire Officer. The Technical Director, will be happy to discuss effects with teams at the time of submitting
technical details.
4.
The Technical Director must be informed if live animals are to be used as the theatre is required to
obtain a licence.
5.
Neither the Festival performance nor the adjudication may be recorded on sound or video tape, filmed
or photographed.
FINANCE
1.
An entrance fee of £40.00 must be forwarded with each entry, non-returnable after the entry has been
accepted.
2.
An additional fee of £30.00 is payable by all companies wishing to receive a written adjudication. This is
the fee requested by the Adjudicator.
ADJUDICATION
1.
The Adjudicator will deliver a public adjudication of each entry at the end of each evening and will
decide on the winners of the trophies at the end of the festival.
2.
The adjudicator will use the following system of marking: Acting 40 marks, Production 35 marks, Stage
Presentation 15 marks, Endeavour, Originality and Attainment 10 marks.
3.
The adjudicator’s decision is final.
GENERAL
1.
INSURANCE: Neither the Festival Committee nor Anglia Ruskin University (The Mumford Theatre) hold
themselves responsible for any liability for injury to persons or for loss or damage to property. Companies are
advised to take out their own Third Party cover.
2.
On all matters relating to the Festival, the committee’s decision is final.
CLOSING DATE
Entry forms, together with fees and a copy of the play, must be forwarded to:
Chris Avery
34 Acorn Avenue
Bar Hill
CAMBRIDGE
CB23 8DT
averycm@ntlworld.com/01954 781233
to arrive no later than Thursday 31st December 2015
Successful entrants will be notified in mid- February.
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