The Play of the Year is a three act play festival where the adjudicator travels round to the group's normal venue to view one of the normal public productions .
Rules
1. The Competition is open only to members of the Nottingham and Notts Drama Association
2. Normally any full length play* performed between the first Monday in
September and the Saturday following the last Monday in May ( inclusive ) is
eligible for entry. The Executive Council of the Association have the
right to discontinue the Competition at any time during this period.
* Plays with musical content which can be fairly assessed may in some instances be
admissible.
3. Each entrant will pay such entry fee as the Executive Council of the Association shall from time to time decide. This fee shall be paid for each entry, before the date of the performance and will not be refundable. More than one play per group may be entered.
4. At least one month's notice must be given of performance dates. Members may enter at any time prior to one month before production, even though the title of the play to be performed may not be known at the time of entry.
5. Nominations for the Sidney Hopkin Memorial Trophy (an award for the best performance by an INEXPERIENCED player OF ANY AGE appearing for the FIRST TIME on the ADULT stage) must be received by the Co-ordinator with the entry form and not at a later date.
6. The Stephen Godward Trophy is awarded for " outstanding contribution to the production by a young person or persons of 19 years of age or under on the day of the first performance of the run." Details of eligibility to be put on the entry form. Youth members in adult plays are considered as well as from youth groups. In the event of duel casting, only the performance visited by the adjudicator will be considered.
7. All efforts will be made to provide a given substitute if the designated adjudicator is not available. However, in the interests of the Competition, should neither be available the group may not be able to enter their production. Arrangements will be made to ensure effective moderation.
8. A bonafide copy of the script must be sent to the Competition Co-ordinator at least twenty-one days prior to the first performance. Photostat copies are NOT acceptable unless the play is out of print and permission from the copyright owner has been obtained. Groups entering plays must be prepared to satisfy the Executive Council that they have complied with all copyright and royalty rights requirements.
9. The group entering shall provide seating accommodation for an Adjudicator, with a small table or equivalent and sufficient light for the Adjudicator to take notes where appropriate.
10. Marks will be awarded under the following headings: Acting, Production, Presentation (Set, Make-up, Lighting, Sound, etc.) and Effort and Achievement (to include choice of play). The Front-of-House Award is determined on the Adjudicator's separate assessment (Criteria available)
11. Before the performance the Adjudicator will enquire as to the facilities available, and the conditions under which the play was staged. The Group will receive a written adjudication after the end of the show. Two copies of written adjudications will be sent to the Competition Co-ordinator who will forward one to the group concerned.
12. The results of the Competition will normally be announced and trophies presented at a social function, the Award Ceremony, of which members will be notified. Competing Groups are required to send at least ONE representative to this function
13. It is the responsibility of the individual or group winners to see that the tropies awarded to them are engraved as soon as possible in a size and font to match that already used. All trophies are the property of the Association and must be returned to the Competition Co-ordinator not later than 18 working days prior to the social function. It is the responsibility of the holder ( or the society of which the holder is, or was at the material time, a member ) to ensure the return of any trophy to the Competition Co-ordinator.
14. Groups are recommended to make their own insurance arrangements. The Association will not be responsible for any damage, loss, injury or death occurring during the period of the competition.
15. All communication should be made via the Competition Co-ordinator
and not directly to the adjudicator.
In the event of a dispute the decision of the Executive Council of
the Association shall be final.
August 2016