Celton Manx is to sponsor this year’s Easter Festival of Plays.
Organised by the Manx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF) the festival, now in its 62nd year, brings together a selection of amateur theatre companies from across the British Isles to compete on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in a week-long programme of plays.
MADF chairman Stephanie Gray said: ‘The Easter Festival of Plays is a hugely popular event in amateur dramatics circles. Many of the visiting companies have told us that they’re more than happy to make the journey to the Island because of the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to perform in one of the most magnificently restored Victorian theatres in the British Isles, the Gaiety.
‘The festival offers a good mix of plays and the programme is particularly strong on comedy this year. Audiences get to watch some excellent productions, see the adjudicator in action and have the opportunity to vote for their favourite play of the week.
‘We are delighted that Celton Manx has agreed to sponsor the festival once again. Thanks to their generosity we’ve been able to refresh the format for this year, raise the festival’s profile and reach out to a wider audience, in particular to young people. With the support of Celton Manx we’re working to get the message “out there” that here is an opportunity to discover live drama on the stage of one of the British Isles’ most magnificent theatres.’
Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Celton Manx sponsored the festival last year when, as a member of the audience, I was impressed by the standard of productions and by the organisational skills of the Manx Amateur Drama Federation, a body of men and women dedicated to widening the appeal of live theatre.
‘We’re pleased, therefore, to be sponsoring the 2013 Easter Festival of Plays which, I am sure, will showcase some truly talented amateur performers and “cast the spotlight” on the Isle of Man, thanks to the warmth of welcome extended to visiting theatre companies by the Manx hosts, whose efforts we applaud.’
The Easter Festival of Plays takes place from Saturday March 30th to Friday April 5th. For bookings, call 600555.
Photo - Bill Mummery, Executive Director, Celton Manx and Stephanie Gray, MADF chairman.
