The Spelthorne and Runnymede Drama Festi-val 2021 will be back at Riverside Arts Centre between October 19 – 23rd with Paul Fowler returning as Adjudicator. It will be wonderful to watch live performanc-es again. There will be up to ten one act plays during the week competing for the various trophies. Last year, the festival fell prey to Lockdown, so a ‘virtual’ festival was organised to take its place. This proved to be incredibly popular and is therefore being repeated to run along-side the main on-stage entries. The Spelthorne and Runnymede Festival is one of the oldest for One Act plays in the country. It has been running for over 60 years. Originally known as the Spelthorne Drama Festival, it took place in Staines Town Hall under the chairmanship of Frank Augur. After the closure of the Town Hall it moved to Magna Carta School. And finally in 2000 settled at Riverside Arts Centre in Sunbury, where it has become a regular and popular event in the Arts Centre calendar. We are now affiliated to the National Drama Festival Association, giving the winners the chance to be selected to enter the British All Winners Festival. Several past entries have gone forward and Runnymede Drama Group and Back to Front Theatre won the overall national festival. So many committed people over the years have worked to make this Festival the success it is today. Sheila Ritchie, Chairman since 1999 has encouraged a relaxed, friendly at-mosphere bringing in entries from Wales, Bristol and Southampton as well as local groups. The experienced backstage and tech-nical crews, and Front of House teams sup-port the competitors and ensure that they, and the audience have a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Come along during Festival Week to see for yourselves! Further information and updates at www.spelthorneunneymedefestival.co.uk
Pictured above the 2019 winners