It was a real pleasure to be back on the Isle of Man and in the exquisite Gaiety behind the most commodious Adjudicator’s desk I’ve ever had provided for me.

Despite the difficulties of getting entries, the new Committee succeeded in achieving a really strong and varied programme. As with most Festivals there were mixed fortunes in terms of production.  Three high quality dramas with some truly outstanding performances and excellent standard of presentation.  Two comedies where ambition and enthusiasm hadn’t taken sufficient account of technique and resource.

I felt there was a real desire to listen and learn and hope that, whilst you will not have agreed with everything I said, there was at least something you were able to take away that would be helpful when embarking on your next production.

A great deal of hard work had been put into this year’s Festival by people new to the job who were learning as they went along ( you’ve done it now, so next year’s Festival will be easy ! ). Without their efforts there would have been no Festival.  They deserve everybody’s support to ensure that drama ( as opposed to musicals ) continues to be represented at the Gaiety Theatre.

Thank you to everyone for making my wife and I so welcome.

• Mike Tilbury, GoDA Adjudicator