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Looking for Information on early Dramafests!

Sun, 18 Oct 2009, 05:15 pm
Norma10 posts in thread

I'm compiling a check list of the venues and Adjudicators for the State One-Act Drama Festival as it was originally known (now Dramafest)

As far as I can see it started in more or less its current form in 1984 at the Wanneroo Shire Hall with Simon Phillips as Adjudicator.

I don' have the information on the 1985 one, and  a note on the info from the 1986 one says "first ITA run Festival" it was held at Hackett Hall with Geoff Gibbs. Was that the Playlovers venue or the UWA Hackett Hall????

1988 is also a blank and I'm missing the Adjudicator for 1993 at Roleystone.

Please can any kind person with a good memory or some old programmes fill in the blanks.

Many thanks, Norma Davis (ITA)

Thread (10 posts)

NormaSun, 18 Oct 2009, 05:15 pm

I'm compiling a check list of the venues and Adjudicators for the State One-Act Drama Festival as it was originally known (now Dramafest)

As far as I can see it started in more or less its current form in 1984 at the Wanneroo Shire Hall with Simon Phillips as Adjudicator.

I don' have the information on the 1985 one, and  a note on the info from the 1986 one says "first ITA run Festival" it was held at Hackett Hall with Geoff Gibbs. Was that the Playlovers venue or the UWA Hackett Hall????

1988 is also a blank and I'm missing the Adjudicator for 1993 at Roleystone.

Please can any kind person with a good memory or some old programmes fill in the blanks.

Many thanks, Norma Davis (ITA)

Grant MalcolmSun, 18 Oct 2009, 06:11 pm

Dramafest 1993

Was that the year that it Elwyn  Edwards adjudicated?

--
Director, actor and administrator of this website

NormaSun, 18 Oct 2009, 06:33 pm

DramaFest 1993

Thanks Grant, I think you are correct.

I remember now that Elwyn Edwards was our Adjudicator one year, and I do not have a record of him any other time.

 

Norma.

Bass GuySun, 18 Oct 2009, 07:45 pm

According to mah wahf's trophy....

... it is indeed 1993. Eliot McCann
DormaaraSun, 18 Oct 2009, 10:18 pm

1988 WA State Drama Festival

Hi Norma, After raking through a box of old paperwork in the shed and searching to the very back of the filing cabinet...twice...I found a 1988 WA State Drama Festival programme sitting within easy reach in the bookcase in my study. The 1988 festival was held at Stirling Theatre and the adjudicator was Lisle Jones.
JoeMcMon, 19 Oct 2009, 08:24 am

The 1st State Drama

The 1st State Drama festival I remember was at the Dollphin Theatre UWA back in the 70's. [When it was the old woodeen theatre builng].  I realise this was orginised by ACTA [Advisory Council for Theatre Ats  (or swomething like that?)] & not by Aunty ITA. 

From memory it went on for about a week, Judy Nunn was the first adjudicator & they got sponsors to fly her over & put her up at the Stirling Arms hotel in Nedllands. 

People like Ken Smith [Garrick] & David Crann [Patch] Colleen Cliford [Guild] were participants.  But later ACTA evolved into the Cultural Development Council somehow, when they started the Hyde park festivals. However as it became top heavy with individaul artisans, such as china painters & the like. The theatre groups were shoved to the back burner of the hob & the council finaly flew up it's own backside, even though they were sponsored yearly for Beryl King the orginsers stipend & office rent, out of the state government coffers.

I'm sure a few others like Peter Fry & Alsa Travers might remember more?

Penny SearleTue, 20 Oct 2009, 12:48 pm

Drama Festivals

Hi Norma For your information: 1980 Stirling Players State Drama Festival - Adjudicator Jake Newby 1982 Garrick Theatre State Drama Festival - Adjudicator Nigel Ridout I was the Festival Director for the three Drama Festivals: 1980, 1982 and 1984 (Wanneroo Repertory - Adjudicator Simon Philips). Further, together with Doug Hellens, I wrote the Rules for those Drama Festivals which I believe are still being used today. Cheers for now. Penny Searle
Lynne DevenishTue, 20 Oct 2009, 05:45 pm

State drama festivals

Hi Norma, My trophy for Best Actress was for the State Drama festival 1972, held at the Dolphin, sponsored by Cultural development Council. It was for Garrick's production of "Colour Bar", written by Ken Smith, I have the program somewhere which will have all the rest of the details eg Adjudicator Norma give me time and I'll go back thru the Garrick archives and give you some much earlier info.
JoeMcWed, 21 Oct 2009, 11:24 am

 g'donya  lynne I got it

 g'donya  lynne I got it back to front & it must have been ACTA that started the Hyde Park Holiday Festivals & CDC who did the 1st state Drama festival.

Not sure how ITA came about after the demise of CDC or if indeed there was any tie up or follow on what soever? As I had evaporated during that period.

I just remember it was flamin hard work to operate the lights & backstage in the old Dolphin, at the same time.

NormaSat, 24 Oct 2009, 06:20 pm

State Drama Festivals

Many many thanks to all who have responded to my request.

I now have the correct list from 1986  onwards, which appears to be the year that ITA 'took over' the running of same and it became an annual event.

Prior to that it would appear to have been held every two years and I do have some information on 1980.1982.1984, but further back than that????????????

Thanks To Lynne Devenish and Penny Searle who have given me some background to the earlier events.

all tid-bits are welcome thank you!

Norma.

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