Hunstanton's One Act Drama Festival Returns

It’s the place where the sun goes down on the sea …. and the curtain goes up on the finest amateur theatre!

> Click here to view the One Act Drama Festival Programme

Where? Hunstanton of course! And as you sit at your table on the Princess Theatre’s wonderful Sunset Wine Bar Terrace and watch the last golden rays disappear behind the watery horizon you may also be aware that inside that famous venue the final preparations are being made for the Hunstanton One Act-Drama Festival 2024.

With as many as 15 productions on offer this year there is no doubt it is going to be something a little bit special. Acting groups from Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire will all be convening on the coast to battle it out.

Festival Director Stephen Hayter is taking the reins for one final time and He thinks that although the Festival may be riding high, it’s only just starting to realise its full potential.

“This is what we all dreamed of when the current committee took over. A packed program of quality competing productions and the possibility of a full auditorium for every session. I do however believe that this momentum is completely sustainable and if the audience numbers continue to grow the best is still to come!”

The box office has been doing a roaring trade and Princess Theatre Volunteer Andy Clifton has been fielding all the calls.

“It’s has been flat out since the box office opened and so many people are taking advantage of the Festival season ticket which gets you in to every one of the five sessions including the Gala awards ceremony all for £20!”

Deputy Festival Director Verity Mitchell will be taking over the top job for 2025 as part of a three year tenure and could not contain her excitement.

“What an incredible three days it will be! So many performances and so many performers and although the competition may be fierce, everyone involved remains the very best of friends. After each session the various groups mingle with the adjudicators, the committee and the audience to laugh, joke and discuss the highs and lows. It really is a community spirit.”

As the countdown continues to opening night of Friday July19th Stephen Hayter paid tribute to everyone who has worked so hard to make it happen.

“The organisation may be down to the committee but without the support of the Borough Council Of King’s Lynn and the backing of Brian Hallard, Jemma Hall, Jess Smith and all the marvellous volunteers at the Princess Theatre it simply would not be possible. That is also true of the participating groups, our local advertisers and all the people from around Hunstanton and King’s Lynn who make up our audience.”

Verity Mitchell added,

“If Festival Too doesn’t appeal to you King’s Lynn … take a short drive up the A149 and join us on the coast!”

Last year the event was opened by television actress and local Heacham girl Claire Goose and although no names have been announced yet, the VIP guest for 2024 is being billed as a “legend”!

The Festival opens on Friday night July 19th and there are matinee and evening sessions on Saturday 20th July at 2.30pm and 7.30pm together with a matinee on Sunday 21st July. It all reaches a crescendo at 7.30pm on Sunday with the Gala Awards Ceremony. Tickets are £7.30 per session (£2.50 for the awards evening) or £20 for a Festival Season Ticket which will get you into absolutely everything!

The Princess Theatre box office is 01485 532 252 or for information on who’s on when it’s www.oneactdramafestival.com