The Torbay Drama Festival

Supplementary Rules for Drama November 2025

S1. The Torbay and South West of England Festival has entered into an agreement with the

Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.  This means that entrants do not have to seek copyright permission for any poetry, prose or solo dramatic items* performed to a time limit of 10 minutes.

Performers and teachers will be delighted to know that their participation in this Festival means that authors will be directly reimbursed as a consequence of their works being performed at this Festival.

Drama duologues and group dramatic activity are not covered by this agreement, and copyright permission for these items should be sought by performers at the time of entry.

  *Please note: dramatic items must be announced with title and author at the time of performance to qualify for copyright indemnity, and the performer must not change the words or gender of the character.

S2. Competitors may enter classes for a higher age group.  The entry fee for these classes applies, not the age of the competitor.

S3. Choral Speaking groups must not number fewer than 10 persons.

S4. When submitting entry forms the title and author of own choice pieces must be clearly stated for inclusion in the programme.  Where this rule is not complied with the entry becomes void.

S5. Competitors in own choice classes must not offer items with which they have won any class at this Festival in the previous three years.

S6. None of the set poems for the current year may be used as own choice pieces.

S7. No competitor may enter more than once in any solo class.  In other classes multiple entries are permitted as long as the individual competes with a different partner(s).

S8. Teachers will be sent a programme as soon as possible after the closing date, which will indicate the approximate time for each class. Private entrants will receive a class card.  Performers and other interested parties are requested to be in the auditorium at least 20 minutes before the time for their class to allow for the programme running early.

S9. Free entrance is granted to adult competitors only during the session in which they are performing.  Teachers who have entered students into the Festival will receive a Teachers’ Pass. Parents and other interested parties are not entitled to be admitted without a valid ticket.

S10. Copies of own choice pieces (including lyrics for Musical Theatre classes) should be submitted at the Welcome desk at least 30 minutes before the class is scheduled. Those who fail to produce a copy for the Adjudicator may be penalised. All copies must have the competitor’s name, class number, and entry number in the class clearly stated.

S11. Original material: a full written copy must be submitted to the steward as per rule S10.  It must be original and the candidate’s own work.  Marks awarded will reflect content, literary style and presentation appropriate to the age group.

S12. Performers should let us know at the time of entry whether material that may give offence (subject matter, strong language, etc) is to be used, so that the class may be appropriately programmed and the audience advised.

S13. Any entry exceeding the time limit set for performance will either have marks deducted, be terminated, or be made void, at the discretion of the Adjudicator.  Candidates may, if they wish, offer a short introduction to set the scene, which will not be included in the time limit.

S14. In drama classes, reading of lines, either on or off stage, is not acceptable without a valid reason being given, either to the committee or the Adjudicator’s steward, in advance of the class.

S15. Costume and properties: costumes must not be worn in any class.  In drama classes, long practice skirts, which give freedom of movement, may be used, together with small items such as scarves, hats, shawls, gloves, canes, etc.  Tables, chairs and hand props are permitted.

S16. Cups, trophies and awards will be presented to winners (where there is a cup/trophy/award earmarked and available for that class).  NB the cup/trophy/award is only on loan to the recipient for the next ten months and must be returned to the cup secretary as outlined in the letter the winner receives on presentation. Gold medals will be awarded to the winners of all solo and duologue classes. Silver (second place) and bronze (third place) will be awarded in those classes with four or more performers.  Cups, trophies and medals will be awarded at the end of each class. 

S17. Certificates and Adjudication sheets will be available approximately 15 minutes after the adjudication of each class.  These must be collected during the Drama section of the Festival.  Those remaining will be destroyed unless a stamped, addressed envelope has been provided.

S18 Music for Musical Theatre performances may be played on the day via an individual teacher, parent or student’s own phone and portable speaker (placed on the stage or on Cup table or near the front row) or laptop. Mobile phone backing tracks can also be plugged in to play through the theatre’s sound system by trained theatre staff. MP3 files on a ‘stick’ can also be played by theatre staff through the theatre system using the Festival’s laptop. Each performer will be allowed a brief sound check to ensure the track works and is at the correct volume, before they begin.

N.B. For the smooth running of the performance, please would teachers/parents/competitors ensure that if using the theatre sound system, theatre staff are provided with clearly written/typed instructions as to when to cue the music (i.e. a lead in line of dialogue and action/position on stage of performer(s)).

S19. Filmed Recordings – Television News reading Classes:

1. Recordings should be filmed in landscape orientation.
2. Recordings should be uploaded to YouTube by performers or their parents / teachers.
3. YouTube links should be sent to lindalear20@outlook.com by 31 March, 2025.  Any links missing after this time will invalidate the entry and refunds will not be given.
4. All performances must be submitted by video recording via your own personal YouTube profile.  If you do not have one of these, you will need to create one or upload from the teacher’s YouTube profile.
5. All YouTube performances should be ‘unlisted’, which means that they do not show up on a search, and therefore cannot be viewed by the general public.  This means that they can only be viewed by people who have the link. 
6. You can remove your video from YouTube at the end of the Festival.

S20. All communications should be sent to the Drama Chair: Linda Lear, 6 Thorne Park Road, Torquay TQ2 6RX – or email lindalear20@outlook.com