Play of the Year Festival 2014/15


NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DRAMA ASSOCIATION

Dear Member

No sooner do we finish one POY but we have to start planning the next!
The 2014/2015 season will see a few small changes to the competition, so please take note when planning your season and filling in forms.

You will remember from the awards night that we have a new trophy for youth members within the competition. The full description of its remit is
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.
This includes backstage as well as performers and applies to shows where youth members are part of an adult show. If there is duel casting, only the performance on the night of the adjudicator's visit will be considered. Please fill in names on your entry form when you enter.

The entry form has as a result been slightly changed so please be careful to use the new one when sending in entries.

This year we had a record 20 entries for the POY Comp. While this in itself is brilliant it caused a few logistical problems. We were extremely lucky that Colin was able to see all the performances which is by far much better than having a substitute and a mediation process. However he did have 4 shows in one week which was a little taxing.
As a result of this we have decided to limit the number of entries from any one group to 2. This I hope will keep the number of entries below 20 whilst giving all member groups the chance to show off their talents. I hope this will not deter groups from entering, but strengthen our competition for years to come. We can review this in a few years time.
There have been an changes to the rules to accommodate the new trophy and limit the number of enties.

The adjudicator this coming season will be Dan Maddison, known to many of you but perhaps not to all.

Dan Maddison

Dan is thousands of years old and has been working in the unpaid theatre world for 60 years.
Since the age of 7 he and a group of friends began their own 'theatre company' performing in back yards in the summer and front parlours at Christmas, writing, directing and acting in childhood nonsense converting movies we'd seen into potted classics!
From acting to directing via sound, lights, publicity, stage management, design and wardrobe Dan has since worked at home and abroad (Europe and further afield) in most things from comedies, dramas, pantomimes and musicals to Shakespeare. His proudest moments were acting and directing at Derby Playhouse, and at The Minack Theatre in Cornwall, as well as at the old Stephen Joseph theatre in Scarborough many moons past!


The entry fee has been kept at £60 again, payable with your entry form and script to be received at least ONE MONTH before the opening of the show. Sidney Hopkin nominations must accompany the entry form.
Please re read the rules and use the new entry form.
As you may have heard, the Welbeck Hotel has been sold and is being converted into an apartment hotel, so we have been looking for a new venue for our Dinner and Awards night. (Just got the last one in in time!!) As a result the 2015 Dinner and Awards will take place at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Wollaton Street. Nottingham on Friday 19th June. Date for your diary.

If you have any questions or need more information please ring or email.

Looking forward to hearing from you and to a successful 2014/2015 season for you all.

Joan Wildgust
POY Co-ordinator