Can Malmesbury make it a Triple?!

Athelstan Players' Megan Mills

That's the question on the minds of organisers for HJ'08 as the Athelstan Players return to see if they can win three in a row!

Last year, Athelstan won the festival with 'The Nightingale and Not the Lark' by Jennifer Johnston. Set in an impressively believable room at the top of an old hall in Ireland, this stark tale won Megan Mills the Best Actress Award.

Bob Charman played a convincing role as Owen, the foil to Megan's Mamie whilst Amanda Duffin and James White ably completed the winning quartet. In fact, Megan makes a return in 'Bus Stop' as 'Woman No.1'. We'll have to wait and see if this is a role that can bag her an award for another year.

So, will they do it again? This year, Athelstan's director, Christine Mace has overcome casting difficulties to come up with a comedy, 'Bus Stop' by Rae Shirley. Cast with seven women, Christine is playing one of the roles herself. Watch out for the 'Bookworm' – that' Christine. She's hoping that this tale of chips-wrapped-in-paper, dropped-shopping and class conscious gossipers will have what it takes to win HJ'08!

Left to right: Bob Charman, Megan Mills, Amanda Duffin and James White

HJ'08 brings stiff competition all round. Festival Director, Ashley Heath, is especially looking forward to the event. "It's the second year that we've gathered enough entries to merit an afternoon youth session", says Ashley.

"In a world where festivals elsewhere are shrinking, HJ continues to attract more companies. This year, we're welcoming two new returning companies, from Wroughton and Highworth, which is wonderful! It's especially rewarding to know that local companies have been in touch to say that they'll be watching this year so that they can apply to perform in HJ'09!"

Ashley sums up HJ'08 as another good mix. "We've got two original plays by local writers and there are even a couple of plays about plays in festivals! We're opening the HJ'08 with two dramas and a comedy, whilst Friday night is just right! It's comedy, comedy/drama and then more comedy! Just what you need to set you up for the weekend!

Will she do it again? AP's Christine Mace receives the Betty Peck Rosebowl from Cllr Mike Bawden at HJ'07

On Saturday afternoon, we've two youth performances – one of them a Horror! Then on Saturday night, we finish off with two more comedies to send our audiences home with smiles on their faces."

HJ'08 promises much then: a mix of drama, comedy and even horror – all for an average of £2.50 a play! You can't beat that for value for money!

Tickets

For full details of how to book your tickets, please see How to Buy Tickets.

The photographs used on this page are ©Robert Slade and used with his kind permission.