Boy named best youth actor in Totton Festival of Drama

Members of Starcast Companies and Troupes, based in Dews Road, attended the Totton Festival of Drama throughout the week commencing Monday, March 18.

The competition is round one of the All England Theatre Festival, the only national eliminating One Act Play competition, and also the Hampshire round of the Five Counties Youth Festival.

SEE ALSO: Plans for new Asda in Salisbury unanimously APPROVED

The festival, which happens every March at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre, West Totton, is open to all amateur drama groups, schools and colleges and is a fantastic learning tool for both groups and audiences alike with professional adjudications for every play.

James Mills, a long-standing member of Starcast, won best youth actor for his performance in the competition.

Starcast took three groups and Drama Company won Best Youth Play for the third year running, which means the group can now compete in the Five Counties youth finals in Bristol on April 21, representing Hampshire. 

Members of Starcast (Image: Starcast Companies and Troupes)

Last year, Starcast won both Best Youth Play and Best Overall Play. 

Principal Anna Would, said: "It’s an absolute pleasure working with these truly talented students.

"They work tirelessly to perfect their performance and deserve this success. We took 30 drama students aged 12-19 across 3 groups.

"My drama teacher and Director Peter McAuley directed all three plays, his hard work was praised by the adjudicator as this is no easy task.

"Pete and I are absolutely dedicated to providing the best for these students, we can’t wait to represent Hampshire in the five counties finals. I want to thank the organisers of Totton Festival for their support of not only the amateur arts but the youth, what fantastic opportunities for these students to perform on stage doing what they love."