A Message from our President, Martin Clifton

Martin Clifton and Joan Cheshire on stage for the presentation of awards in 2007

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Harold Jolliffe One-Act Play Festival.

hj1act is an independent festival hosted by the Swindon and District Theatre Guild.

Having previously been chair and Vice–President of the Theatre Guild, I became President in 2017 after the sad death of our previous President Joan Cheshire.

If you are visiting our website as a member of a participating company or as an audience member then I look forward to meeting you at hj1act.

About the Guild

Founded in 1945, The Swindon and District Theatre Guild held its first festival in 1947.

A founding member of the Theatre Guild was Joan Cheshire.

Joan's dedication to amateur theatre, and to the Theatre Guild, was steadfast and constant.

Joan, alongside other members of the Guild, worked closely with Harold Jolliffe to encourage a love of theatre and the arts within the town.

Joan was President until her death in 2013.

The Guild are affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) the All England Theatre Festival (AETF) and The National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA).

hj1act includes a preliminary round of the AETF which has subsequent rounds into which we send our winning companies.

NDFA organise the British All Winners Festival and the winning play from hj1act is eligible to be invited to take part.

Please see our tribute to Joan Cheshire.