Festival showcase for young talent returns to theatre

During the course of the three-day festival, which runs from Wednesday, June 30 until Friday, July 2, actors will perform one-act plays which are then marked by a Guild of Drama adjudicator.

On the final evening there will be a presentation of awards, not only for the best plays in the festival, but also for the best actors and supportive roles, best directors and best set designers.

This year's awards will be presented by Barnsley author Milly Johnson, who has long been a supporter of the Lamproom Theatre.

All those taking part are under 21 and the festival is organised to give aspiring actors the chance to perform in theatre conditions, under the guidance and support of technicians and staff.

A spokesman for the South Yorkshire Youth Drama Festival said: "Many of the previous participants in the festival have since gone on to pursue careers in the drama business, some appearing on television, some writing their own material and many to continue their studies at drama schools and universities.

"Grace Kelly, a previous participant, has since worked on TV series Doctors and The Royal and is at present studying acting in Los Angeles.

"Jack Land-Noble has written a musical show, Grappling, to be performed at the Lamproom Theatre next week and Matthew Weigold is to be acting in Bluebird at the acclaimed Edinburgh Festival this summer.

"All are not yet 22 years of age and yet have gone on to achieve this after taking part in earlier festivals at the Lamproom Theatre."

Tickets, either for individual nights or the full festival, are available from the Lamproom box office on 01226 200075.