{"id":4799,"date":"2025-10-07T18:40:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T17:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madf.im\/?page_id=4799"},"modified":"2026-05-17T15:45:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T14:45:56","slug":"one-act-festival-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/madf.im\/?page_id=4799","title":{"rendered":"One Act Festival 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Festival Award Winners &amp; Nominees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Manx Amateur Drama Federation\u2019s 2026 One Act Festival<\/strong>, held at the Erin Arts Centre, has come to a close \u2013 a fantastic celebration of local theatre talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On <strong>Saturday 14 March<\/strong>, we proudly presented this year\u2019s awards. Congratulations to all nominees and winners for an exceptional festival.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/df7a4f65-1fb7-76d8-4864-4664e9a15ae2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/df7a4f65-1fb7-76d8-4864-4664e9a15ae2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/df7a4f65-1fb7-76d8-4864-4664e9a15ae2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/df7a4f65-1fb7-76d8-4864-4664e9a15ae2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Awards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Newcomer \u2013 Walker Family Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Me, My Monsters and I<\/em> \u2013 Stage Door Academy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Use of Sound &amp; Lighting \u2013 Sure Mobile Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Lockdown<\/em> \u2013 Elite Theatre Arts<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Little Dolls<\/em> \u2013 High Horse Productions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Theodora<\/em> \u2013 Starling Crew<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Comedic Moment \u2013 Daphne Clark Memorial Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Janet and John<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Theodora<\/em> \u2013 Starling Crew<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>A Matter of Husbands<\/em> \u2013 Cobbled Heights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Dramatic Moment \u2013 Nadine Talbot Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Janet and John<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Parallels<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Theodora<\/em> \u2013 Starling Crew<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Little Dolls<\/em> \u2013 High Horse Productions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Lockdown<\/em> \u2013 Elite Theatre Arts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Blood of the Lamb<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Youth Actress \u2013 Olga Gray Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Daisy Maddocks \u2013 <em>In Juliet\u2019s Garden<\/em> (Stage One Drama)<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emily Furner \u2013 <em>Me, My Monsters and I<\/em> \u2013 Stage Door Academy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eva Macaulay \u2013 <em>Lockdown<\/em> \u2013 Elite Theatre Arts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maddie Wood \u2013 <em>In Juliet\u2019s Garden<\/em> \u2013 Stage One Drama<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Actor \u2013 Mark Clift Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Thomas Iain Dixon \u2013 <em>Theodora<\/em> \u2013 Starling Crew<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Steve Blower \u2013 <em>Parallels<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bernard Wood \u2013 <em>Janet and John<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tom Cain \u2013 <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toby Smith \u2013 <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Youth Actor \u2013 Stan Woollock Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Oran Molloy \u2013 <em>Lockdown<\/em> \u2013 Elite Theatre Arts<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flynn Gartside \u2013 <em>Lockdown<\/em> \u2013 Elite Theatre Arts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Actress \u2013 Jean C Webb Award<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Ailsa Harrop \u2013 <em>Blood of the Lamb<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<br><strong>Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rachel Martin \u2013 <em>Janet and John<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gemma Varnon \u2013 <em>Theodora<\/em> \u2013 Starling Crew<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Megan Hills \u2013 <em>Little Dolls<\/em> \u2013 High Horse Productions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lisa Smith \u2013 <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kim Childs \u2013 <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Laura Jones \u2013 <em>A Matter of Husbands<\/em> \u2013 Cobbled Heights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Robin Hughes \u2013 <em>Blood of the Lamb<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Director (Youth Plays) \u2013 John Bowring Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Jacqui Hawkes \u2013 Stage One Drama<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Director (Festival) \u2013 Caine Family Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> Sarah Lockyer \u2013 <em>Blood of the Lamb<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Youth Play \u2013 Cyril Spencer Trophy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>In Juliet\u2019s Garden<\/em> \u2013 Stage One Drama<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Runner-Up Best Play \u2013 Service Players &amp; Caine Family Prize<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Roast Dinner<\/em> \u2013 Service Players<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best Play \u2013 Northern Arts Rose Bowl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Winner:<\/strong> <em>Blood of the Lamb<\/em> \u2013 Rushen Players<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Our Thanks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A heartfelt thank you to our <strong>GODA Adjudicator, Sue Doherty<\/strong>, whose expertise, insight, and engaging anecdotes enriched the festival throughout the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1-724x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/madf.im\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Festival-Schedule-2026-3.jpeg-1.png 1414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For details of the prizes, please see the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/our-festivals\/one-act-play-festival-selection\/awards-one-act-play-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Awards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MADF is delighted to welcome back to EAC their 2026 Festival of One Act Plays, adjudicated by hugely popular Sue Doherty (GODA).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Presenting Drama and Comedy from renowned playwrights and featuring four original pieces of writing from Island authors. Enjoy 4 nights of thought-provoking entertainment provided by talented actors and directors from across the Island. Sue Doherty will give an enlightening adjudication about the plays and the performances after the final play each evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Wednesday 11 March, from 7pm:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Service Players: Janet and John by Michael Pearcy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Janet and John have been married a long time, but she has no idea what announcement he might have in store for her. She only knows that it\u2019s unheard for him to give up his Friday night at the railway society to take her out to dinner. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rushen Players: Parallels by Wood and Kinley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A married couple, both architects, go for counselling when their marriage is in trouble. Their experiences stir up troubling memories in the therapist of his mother\u2019s alcoholism. Warning: Strong language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Starling Crew: Theodora by Gemma Varnom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asteroid \u2018Theodora\u2019 is on an unstoppable, apocalyptic collision course with Earth, and every soul on the planet must choose how to spend the precious few hours that remain. Mia is resigned to a night alone with her favourite music, a bottle of tequila and a top-tier cheeseboard, when ex-boyfriend Danny comes crashing back into her life. With impact fast approaching, Mia and Danny must decide what truly matters when there are no more chances\u2026 and no more consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Thursday 12 March, from 7pm:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>High Horse Productions: Little Dolls by Nancy Harris<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vicky seeks counselling from John to overcome her intense fear of darkness. But what if there really is some truth in her anxiety, and what if the darkness really is a disease? Warning: references to mental illness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Underwood Productions: Bus 404 by Alessandro Mazzota<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A normal tour guide takes a small batch of what seem to be tourists around the beautiful Isle of Man. One moment in time and one change of thought creates a devastating turn of events that changes the lives of everyone on board Bus 404.Warning: reference to sexual assault and violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Service Players: Roast Dinner by Lisa Smith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carrie and Ben are in love but they have an unusual relationship with unique challenges. Mum is a big help though, as is friend Karl, and everyone can agree that roast dinner is the best part of life \u2013 what can\u2019t be fixed over a steaming gravy jug?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Friday 13 March, from 7pm (Youth Plays):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stage Door Academy: Me, My Monsters and I by Grey Pratt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a children\u2019s play dealing with loss and feelings. &nbsp;The \u2018KID\u2019 is confronted by their emotions \u2018ANXIETY\u2019, \u2018JUDGEMENT\u2019, \u2018FAILURE\u2019, CHANGE\u2019, \u2018ENVY\u2019, \u2018PAIN\u2019, \u2018DEPRESSION\u2019 and \u2018LOSS\u2019 after the death of their sister in a car accident. &nbsp;The kid works with the emotions to deal with what has happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Elite Theatre Arts: Lockdown by Douglas Craven<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eight students sit in a dark classroom, not knowing if the lockdown that has been announced is a drill or a real emergency. When their teachers leaves, should they stay where they are or run? Warning: reference to violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stage One Drama: In Juliet\u2019s Garden by Judy Elliot McDonald<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Juliet invites four other Shakespearean heroines to lunch. They discuss the issues they all have with their plots. Juliet\u2019s Nurse and Shakespeare\u2019s agent attempt to settle matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Saturday 14 March, from 7pm:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cobbled Heights: Matter of Husbands by Ferenc Molnar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A young wife believes her husband is in love with a famous actress. The actress uses her charm and quick thinking to convince the wife that it is all a misunderstanding. The play ends with a twist, leaving the truth a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rushen Players: The Blood of the Lamb by Arlene Hutton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A heartfelt look at two women navigating the vagaries of the law which requires a dead foetus to be carried to term as an unborn \u2018citizen\u2019 of the state of Texas.Warning: reference to child loss and abortion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Festival Award Winners &amp; Nominees The Manx Amateur Drama Federation\u2019s 2026 One Act Festival, held at the Erin Arts Centre, has come to a close \u2013 a fantastic celebration of local theatre talent. On Saturday 14 March, we proudly presented this year\u2019s awards. Congratulations to all nominees and winners for an exceptional festival. Awards Best &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/madf.im\/?page_id=4799\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">One Act Festival 2026<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":336,"menu_order":-1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4799","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4799"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5666,"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4799\/revisions\/5666"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/madf.im\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}