Entry Rules 2026

Hunstanton One-Act Drama Festival 2026

ENTRY RULES AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GROUPS

The Hunstanton Drama Festival will be held at the Hunstanton Town Hall Theatre Stage, The Green, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 6BQ from 3rd to 5th July 2026.

All performances must be amateur, and participants must be members of a legitimate

Adult or Youth Amateur Company. Participants in Youth entries must be 18 years or under at the time of the performance.

 A competing company must offer either:-

A one-act play

An excerpt from a longer play

A play containing musical numbers – not an excerpt from a musical play.

All entries must include a minimum of three speaking roles.

For a work to qualify as an original script, it must:

Have been written within 12 months of the start date of the Festival

Written with a specific performing group in mind

Have not been performed for profit in the calendar year of the Festival

NB: Any decision as to what constitutes an original script are made by the Hunstanton One-Act Drama Festival committee and

is final.

Each entry must be at least 20 minutes in length, but must not exceed the overall time

limit of 50 minutes, which includes the set-up and strike times. Penalties will apply if the time limit is exceeded. The decision of the timekeeper is final.

If any entry is under copyright, it is the responsibility of the Company to see that the author’s permission is obtained for the performance and that any royalties have been paid in advance.

Neither the Festival Committee nor the Hunstanton Town Hall holds themselves responsible for any liability for injury to persons or loss or damage to property. The visiting society will be responsible for their own insurance cover.

Youth entries must comply with Child Protection Policies of the West Norfolk and King’s Lynn Borough Council and chaperones must be provided by the performing group.

On all matters relating to this Festival, the decision of the Committee is final. 

PERFORMANCE

    The Technical Manager must be informed of any musical and sound effects used.

Stage effects which present a fire hazard will not be allowed. Effects such as smoke or firing of guns may, in certain circumstances, be allowed provided that permission has been sought and obtained from the Technical Manager.

The Technical Manager will be in control of the switchboard and lighting equipment in liaison with each Company Stage Director. All companies must only use the Town Hall Stage equipment. No outside computer equipment will be permitted. Stage lighting and sound plots should be sent to the Technical Manager at Hunstanton Town Hall, The Green, PE36 6BQ no later than Monday 8th June 2026. 

The use of video, recording equipment, mobile phones and cameras are strictly forbidden in the auditorium.

Facilities will be made available at the Town Hall for Company Directors and Stage Directors, who will be responsible for their performances, to discuss stage, lighting and sound plots with the Festival team. During the Festival period, one hour will be allocated during the morning or afternoon, for Companies to bring in their scenery, set up, mark, check technical requirements and sound levels on stage. (Please note: This is not a rehearsal period and the hour will be strictly monitored). We regret that it will not be possible to make alternative arrangements. All the above facilities must be booked in advance. This will ensure the smooth running of the Festival for your companies as well as for the Festival team. The Technical Manager will contact you to make arrangements no less than 1 month prior to the commencement of the Festival.

ADJUDICATION

A brief public adjudication will be given at the end of each evening/afternoon session and the winners of the trophies will be announced at the end of the last performance of the Festival. A written adjudication will also be provided for each entrant. The adjudicators’ decision is final. 

Awards will be presented to the winners of each category and these will include:

Best Adult Performance; Best Youth Performance; Best Adult Actor; Best Adult Actress; 

Best Youth Actor; Best Youth Actress, Best Original Script; Best Technical Cup and the

Adjudicators’ Award.

ENTRIES

For 2026, the entry fee of £50 will be held and returned to the participating group at the end of the Festival. However, to be accepted into the Festival, each participating group must send their completed application forms and a cheque for £50 to:

Verity Mitchell, 18 Park Road, Hunstanton PE36 5BP to arrive no later than 3rd April, 2026.

DATE REMINDERS

3 copies of the script and details of Director with full cast list to be sent to Verity Mitchell by 1st June 2026 for inclusion in the Festival Programme.

Lighting and Sound plots to be sent to the Technical Manager no later than 8th June 2025. 

Click here to download an Entry Form

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