From the depths of emotion to howling with laughter, the Totton Festival of Drama has it all and you can experience it all at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Aikman Lane, West Totton, from March 20 – 24.

As a ‘Round One’ of the All England Theatre Festival, the only nationwide eliminating contest for one act plays showcasing the best of local drama groups from all over southern Hampshire, the festival sees award winning amdram groups competing for a chance to represent England in the British Finals.

Each evening three plays are performed, followed by a public adjudication by professional adjudicator Mike Kaiser GODA, who casts his experienced eye on the evening’s entertainment.

Mike has spent over thirty years teaching English and Drama and has adjudicated in every part of the UK and also the Republic of Ireland but this will be his first visit to Totton!

This year the festival is celebrating 40 years of the annual event and definite fixture at The Hanger Farm Arts Centre, a beautifully converted 17th century barn.

It makes the perfect venue by creating an excellent ambience for live theatre and a great atmosphere for the performers to tread the boards.

“We are really proud that the festival is staged in such a superb arts centre and has become such an important date on the amdram calendar.” said Festival Chairman, Michael Farleigh.

“It has also played a big part in encouraging local playwrights.

The festival is such a great way for audiences to experience a wide variety of live theatre in a single evening.”

The Totton Festival of Drama celebrates the great talent of local amateur dramatic groups as they take part to win the silverware on offer and claim a place in the next round of the All England Theatre Festival.

The festival is open to all amdram groups, schools and colleges in Hampshire and across the south and the basic festival rules are that entries must be between 20-55 minutes and contain a minimum of 2 speaking parts, and extracts from longer works are admitted providing you have the publishers' permission and they 'stand alone'.

The five night festival, which features 14 plays from groups covering Hampshire and beyond starts at 7.00pm each evening and with low ticket prices and discounts priced at only £8 (£7 Students) there really is no excuse for what promises to be some first class entertainment.

Discounts available when purchasing tickets for three or more evenings.

For more information please visit www.tottondrama.co.uk or contact Hanger Farm Box Office on 023 8066 768.