Bromyard’s Conquest Theatre emerged victorious at this year’s Hereford County Drama Festival, securing a string of prestigious accolades. Their compelling performance of scenes from Willy Russell’s Educating Rita not only captivated audiences but also earned them first place and the esteemed David Garrick Cup.
Hugh Farey delivered a standout performance as the disillusioned, whisky-soaked academic Dr Frank Bryant, winning the Belmont Trophy for Best Actor. Meanwhile, Amanda Vincent-Perkins impressed as the determined and ever-curious Susan ‘Rita’ White, securing the Thinghill Trophy for Best Actress.
The accolades did not stop there. Farey also claimed the Bishop Hudson Plate for Best Stage Setting, while director Martin Goddard was recognised as the festival’s Best Director, earning the Bill Aston Cup.
In a strong competition, The Norbury Players from Droitwich took second place with their performance of White Lies by Richard James, winning the Runner’s-Up Cup. Malvern Theatres Youth Theatre secured third place and the Wye Cup with their moving adaptation of Let Him Have It by Paul King, a harrowing retelling of Derek Bentley’s wrongful execution in 1953.
The festival, an annual highlight of the regional theatre calendar, was once again hosted at Ledbury’s Market Theatre. Participating groups were invited to stage either a one-act play or an extract from a full-length production, provided it could stand alone without additional context. All entries were required to feature at least two speaking roles and run between 20 and 55 minutes.
The event operates under the governance of the All-England Theatre Festival (AETF), with an independent adjudicator assessing each performance. Exceptional productions, such as Conquest Theatre’s winning entry, may now progress to further rounds of the AETF competition, representing the region on a larger stage.
With such an array of talent on display, this year’s festival reinforced the depth and vibrancy of amateur theatre in Herefordshire and beyond.
Information can also be found on the festival website, on the Hereford County Drama Festival Facebook page, on X and on Bluesky.