Theatre 64 Scoop Awards at Drama Festival!
Theatre 64, the Yateley based drama group, has returned in triumph from Woking's 47th Annual Drama Festival of One Act Plays. One of the largest drama festivals in the UK, Theatre 64 faced very stiff opposition in a field of 25 plays in a Festival termed by a member of the Woking Drama Association, a "vintage year". Against this competition, Theatre 64 won Best Play for its production of "412 Letters" and writer/director Matthew Wilkie also won Best Director and Best Original Play. In addition the group shared the Backstage Management award.
Matthew has been with Theatre 64 for more than a decade, writing many new plays in that time. He has previously won awards at the Woking Festival in 2003 and at Maidenhead Festival in 2004. Matthew describes "412 Letters" as a play about two people who's relationship has finished but neither of them can let go, "like a lot of breakups the characters in my play find that whilst they can't live together, living apart proves just as difficult."
"412 Letters" will be presented with "In the Beginning", another favourite with the festival audience. This is also a new play written by Farnborough based teacher, Mike Hills. Touching and often very funny, the play draws on Mike's experiences of becoming a father for the first time. Mike says, "All parents will recognise a lot of this play, whilst it will also provide a sneak preview to anyone considering having children!".
Both new plays were of such quality that the adjudicator felt that they were likely to receive publication before too long. Matthew is excited to see the group producing new work and admits, "Amateur theatre often sees the same plays being produced over and over again - these plays presented Theatre 64 with a new challenge and provides audiences with the chance to see something a little bit different."
Both plays contain some bad language and will not be suitable for young children; please ask when booking if you have a concern.
