Our festival categories

VERSE SPEAKING

Each age group is set a different theme such as “ The Sea”, “Winter”, “Space” or “Night”.
Competitors (with their teachers) choose a poem within this given theme that may be recited within the two minutes time limit. The poem must be learnt. No copies should be used for performance on the day, but a copy should be given to the adjudicator’s clerk on the day of performance. Adjudicators are looking for expression, interpretation, communication and enjoyment.

PROSE READING

Each age group is set a different theme, gendre or author such as “ Mystery”, “Legend”, “Fairy Tale” or “Sea”, “School” and “ Magic”. Competitors (with their teachers) choose a book that fits the appropriate title and they prepare a short passage from the book that is read on the day of performance, lasting no more than two minutes. The actual book must be used on the day – no photocopies. Adjudicators look for expression, confidence, communication with the audience and an understanding of the text. Competitors should try to make the book come alive so that their reading is dramatic and entertaining.

STORY TELLING

Competitors choose and prepare their own story, either traditional or original, up to three minutes in length. No script should be used on the day. Stories must be told, not read. Story tellers may sit or stand for their performance. Any kind of story from thriller to fairy story may be used, but all must be suitable for a family audience. Adjudicators are looking for confidence and clarity in a story that captures interest through the use of expression, tension or humour, communication of meaning, different voices and dramatic pause.

SOLO ACTING

Competitors perform an appropriate speech from a play lasting up to three minutes. No costumes or make-up may be used. The performance should begin with the title and a brief introduction to set the scene. Small hand props may be used if appropriate. A table and chairs will be available if needed. Adjudicators are looking for a convincing and sincere performance where the audience believe in the character and the scene is brought alive through words and movement. A script should be given to the adjudicator’s clerk before the performance begins.

DUOLOGUE

Similar to the solo acting classes, but the extract from the play may last up to five minutes and is performed by two people. In addition to the key points listed under solo acting, adjudicators will also be looking for interaction, relationship and response between the two characters in the play. A script should be given to the adjudicator’s clerk before the performance begins.

GROUP ACTING

Performers present an appropriate extract from a play up to ten minutes in length. (A “group” must be no less than 3 and no more than 6 members.) The rules for solo-acting and duologue apply. The play should be suitable for a family audience. A script should be given to the adjudicator’s clerk before the performance begins.

SOLO AND DUO IMPROVISATION CLASSES

The subject will be given at the start of the class. These may include titles such as “Disaster”, “Mistaken Identity” or “Lost in Town”, and performers improvise a short play around the theme lasting up to three minutes. Adjudicators will be looking for a clear development of the story with a dramatic starting point and a good conclusion. Characterisation, interaction and reaction are important. Themes are age-appropriate.

PREPARED GROUP IMPROVISATION

As with solo and duo improvisation classes, competitors make up a short play, but in group improvisation the title is supplied in advance by the festival committee. This theme/title is listed in the syllabus that is published in October. The theme may give a location (eg “In the Attic” or “Behind the Curtain”), a closing/opening line (eg “I have certainly learnt my lesson” or “Did you hear that?”), a title (eg. The Soldiers of the Queen” or “The Lost Tickets”) and performers should use this theme to develop a short play with a clear beginning, development and conclusion. Adjudicators will be looking for good characterisation and clarity of story, as well as interaction and reaction amongst the actors and communication with the audience. There is a time limit of ten minutes for this class. Groups are no less than three and no more than six members

PREPARED SPEECH

Each age group has a different title to prepare their speech around. These titles are published from October in the festival syllabus. Competitors prepare a speech lasting up to five minutes. All themes are age-appropriate and recently have included titles such as “A World Without Music”, “My Alternative Olympics”, “Stagestruck” and “Is the Film Better than the Book?”. Appropriate props and crib notes may be used. Adjudicators look for clear presentation, appropriate use of humour, interesting content, sincerity, good communication and train of thought, confidence, and the ability to present their arguments to the audience.

CHORAL SPEAKING

Groups are required to perform a poem, or an extract from a poem, in a lively and imaginative style. This may include vocal sound effects, occasional solo voices, small groups speaking separately, juxtaposition, echoes and many other effects to create the atmosphere of the poem. The group must work as a disciplined choir, speaking and moving together. Some groups even set the tone of the poem in the way they move onto the stage. The piece must have a title. A copy of the poem must be given to the adjudicator’s clerk before the performance. Choirs must be no fewer than eight and no more than thirty. The time limit is ten minutes and poems must be taken from themes listed in the year’s festival syllabus. With the exception of Key Stage One classes, all performances must be unaided.

PREPARED MIME

There are three classes under Prepared Mime – solo, duo and group. A group is no less than three and no more than six. Hand props, costume and make-up may not be used. Performers prepare a mime up to three minutes in length. In the past these have included babysitting, working-out, flying away on a balloon, taking a shower and a scene on the beach. Performers have a free choice. Adjudicators look for clear representation of what is happening, a logical development, good facial expression and body language, perspective, reaction and interplay between the characters.