Important updates!
Day Two of Festival of One Act Plays
Thursday evening’s programme offered a striking mix of dark drama, suspense and offbeat comedy. High Horse Productions opened with Little Dolls, a disturbing psychological piece in which Vicky (Megan Hills) confronts deep childhood trauma during intense counselling sessions with the unsettling John (Neil King), the dimly lit stage, ticking clock and restricted flicker of a lighter creating a tense atmosphere as memories of a tragic childhood event slowly unfold. Underwood Productions followed with Bus 404, an inventive and emotionally layered story that takes a motley group of tourists on a bus tour around the Isle of Man, led by the confident Girl Driver (Michelle Cain); what begins as a quirky character study quickly turns dark when passengers Bonnie (Vivian Toro) and Clyde (Darren Webb) attempt a robbery, prompting fear, violence and moral hesitation among the group, with only Joe (Gonzo Galliad) attempting to intervene before the play concludes with a haunting and ambiguous ending. The evening closed on a lighter note with Service Players’ Roast Dinner, a wildly imaginative comedy in which a seemingly ordinary trip to Sunday lunch turns extraordinary when Ben (Tom Cain) is revealed to be an alien, overseen by his flamboyant commander Snootyparp (Toby Smith); as a plan to wipe out humanity unfolds, unexpected revelations, including Mother (Lisa Smith) and Carrie (Kim Childs) having alien origins of their own, ransform the impending apocalypse into a farcical and entertaining clash of extraterrestrial personalities, giving the play the feel of The X-Files meeting The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Day One of Festival Of One Act Plays
The evening presented three compelling and contrasting one-act plays, each exploring human relationships from very different perspectives. Janet and John opened the programme with a thoughtful and often humorous reflection on a long-married couple revisiting the defining moments of their life together. With simple but effective staging, strong performances, and well-judged lighting that guided the audience through a series of memories and revelations, the play balanced comedy with deeply emotional themes, ultimately culminating in a surprisingly tender final gesture that highlighted the enduring bond between the characters. This was followed by Parallels, a cleverly structured piece that moved between a troubled marriage and a counselling room, examining alcoholism, family trauma, and the unseen emotional baggage people bring into relationships. The split-stage set and effective lighting clearly separated the two worlds while reinforcing the idea of parallel struggles, while the counsellor’s direct addresses to the audience added depth and insight into her own unresolved past. The script blended humour with powerful emotional moments, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The evening concluded with Theodora, a bold and imaginative play set in the final moments before an asteroid strikes Earth, where two former lovers reunite to face the end of the world together. With minimal staging placing the focus squarely on the performances, the actors delivered strong chemistry as the characters moved between humour, nostalgia, confrontation, and ultimately a dark emotional climax. Across all three productions the audience responded warmly, with genuine laughter and attentive silence demonstrating how successfully the evening balanced comedy, reflection, and dramatic intensity.
The Manx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF) is pleased to announce the schedule for its Festival of One Act Plays this March, sponsored by Blackford and Co Insurance Brokers Limited.
Running over four evenings from 11 to 14 March at the Erin Arts Centre, the Festival will feature nine local drama groups, three youth entries, and four pieces of original writing. The eleven short plays will be performed and then adjudicated by Sue Doherty, from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators.
The schedule features a wide variety of genres, with something for everyone: comedy, dark comedy, psychological drama, thriller, romance – even sci fi!
Both the Youth and the Adult awards will be presented on Saturday night. Prizes include Best Play, Best Actor, Best Dramatic Moment and Best Director.
MADF Chairman, Leandra Lawler, commented:
“We’re delighted with the response we’ve had to our call for One Act entries, and so excited to see four evenings packed with great drama of all kinds. As well as this wonderful festival we also have our Young Actor of Mann competition on Sunday 15 March at the Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen, adjudicated by acclaimed actor Edward Bennet. At MADF we aim to encourage a love of and success in theatre in many different ways, so March will be a real celebration for us and our supporters.”
Tickets for the Festival can be purchased from erinartscentre.com (See link above)and Season Tickets are available. More information on both this and the Young Actor of Mann can be found on madf.im
Sue Doherty to Adjudicate MADF’s Festival of One Act Plays 2026
The Manx Amateur Drama Federation (MADF) is proud to announce that Sue Doherty renowned drama educator, adjudicator, and theatre practitioner will be adjudicating the Festival of One Act Plays 2026, to be held at the Erin Arts Centre from 12–14 March.
Sue brings over 40 years of experience in arts education and theatre to the Isle of Man stage. As Head of Performing Arts at St Julie’s High School in Liverpool, she championed inclusive access to the arts, with many of her students going on to train at RADA, Guildhall, and LIPA. Her former pupils include BAFTA winner Jodie Comer, Katherine Rose Morley, and Laura Frances Morgan.
Her career spans work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Liverpool’s City of Culture celebrations, and acclaimed verbatim theatre projects exploring social issues. Sue co-founded the Cheshire One Act Festival now one of the largest in northern England and has adjudicated festivals across the UK and internationally, including Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
She currently works as a freelance teacher, drama coach, and Vice Chair of Governors at LIPA Sixth Form College.
Sue’s thoughtful, passionate approach to adjudication makes her a perfect fit for MADF’s much-loved celebration of short-form theatre. Drama societies from across the UK and the Island are invited to enter short plays, which will be performed and evaluated by Sue, with awards for Best Play, Best Actor, and Best Dramatic Moment presented on the final night.
Following its 75th anniversary this year, MADF has chosen to pause its Easter Festival of Full Length Plays in 2026, but the Festival of One Act Plays continues to thrive. It has spotlighted local writing talent, with Best Play awards going to Jenny Derbyshire (Shelter), Sharon Walker (A Perfect Gentleman), and Lisa Smith (Photograph), among others.
Two of the above mentioned plays will be showcased next weekend at Remember Me to All at Home – A concert of remembrance …You can book tickets for these performances at Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen
MADF Chairman Leandra Lawler shared: “The One Act Play Festival is open to all to showcase new work, try challenging plays, give new directors the chance to develop, and generally enjoy the spirit of performance. We will also be hosting our ever-popular Young Actor of Mann on Sunday 15 March 2026 at the Studio Theatre at Ballakermeen.”
MADF looks forward to returning to the Gaiety Theatre for its full Easter Festival in 2027. In the meantime, the 2026 One Act Festival promises a vibrant celebration of creativity, guided by one of the UK’s most respected adjudicators.
The schedule of plays will be published early next year.
For entry details, email: oneact@madf.im
https://madf.im/our-festivals/one-act-play-festival-selection/one-act-festival-2026
Entries Open for Young Actor of Mann 2026
Calling all young performers! The search is on for the island’s next rising star as entries open for the Young Actor of Mann 2026 competition, taking place on Sunday, 15 March 2026, at the Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen High School.
The bi-annual competition celebrates the best of the Isle of Man’s youth talent and offers a unique platform for young actors to perform live on stage and develop their craft. Entrants are invited to perform before an audience and the event adjudicator.
This year’s adjudicator will be Edward Bennett, an acclaimed British actor and coach whose distinguished career spans stage, film, and television. Bennett trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and has appeared in major productions including Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His screen credits include Napoleon, Bridgerton, Industry, War Horse, and Cobra.
As adjudicator, Bennett will provide insightful feedback and encouragement to each participant, offering a valuable experience for anyone passionate about performance.
Event Details
• Date: Sunday, 15 March 2026
• Venue: Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen High School
• Adjudicator: Edward Bennett
Click Here For More Information on Edward
Don’t miss the chance to take part in one of the island’s most exciting celebrations of young talent — whether you dream of a career in acting or simply love performing, this is your moment to shine!
For further information contact: Leandra Lawler (Coordinator)
Email: youngactorofmann@madf.im
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Supporting and Promoting Manx Theatre
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