Barn Theatre

MORE than 200 performers will be taking the stage in Welwyn Garden City this week at an annual youth drama event.

WGC Youth Drama Festival

The 69th WGC Youth Drama Festival (YDF) opens at the Barn Theatre, in Handside Lane, on Monday night.

The week-long extravaganza reaches its climax on Saturday, March 9 with the final three one-act plays and the traditional closing awards ceremony.

With three plays performed per night, the festival attracts teams from across Hertfordshire and adjoining counties, all competing for the trophies awarded for junior and senior sections. This year’s adjudicator is Jennifer Scott-Reid.

“I can’t believe it can be festival time again,” said WGC YDF committee chairman Coral Walton.

Welwyn Hatfield Times editor Terry Mitchinson presents the Ball England Cup to Hannah Lockey and Sam Stockbridge from Phoenix Youth Theatre Company at the 2012 WGC Youth Drama Festival

“It really doesn’t seem a year ago since the youth drama festival sprung into life at the Barn Theatre.”

The festival, held annually at the Barn since 1947, still attracts teams of youngsters to the town.

Coral added: “Last year, the newly timed March slot turned out to be an excellent week, full house on opening night and also really entertaining at the end of the week when Terry Mitchinson, editor of the Welwyn Hatfield Times, gave the awards and reminded us of the memories he had performing on the Barn stage as part of the festival in the 1960s.

“So here we are again, this time the 69th festival, with 18 teams beavering away in their various rehearsal spaces to ensure another interesting week and it will be interesting, because it always is, over 200 actors will tread the boards performing all sorts of material.

“It would be just wonderful if we could fill the auditorium every night to offer the applause they justly deserve for their hard work.”

Tickets are available through the Barn Theatre box office on 01707 324300 or online at www.barntheatre.co.uk at £6 each, or reduced to £5 when bought in groups of six or more.

Season tickets are available at £22.50 for the whole week.

Tickets can also be obtained from the Barn Box office on any show/festival night from 7pm to 9pm.

* To see the programme running order for the week, click on the link above right.