The following review of the festival appeared in the Swindon Advertiser (www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk) on 19 February 2008. (The scans below are of the actual newspaper; they are used, along with the transcript and the photograph (by Eloisa Wildsmith), with the kind permission of the Swindon Advertiser.):

They're all getting in on the Act!

Harold Jolliffe Festival review in the Swindon Advertiser

This year's Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival was a celebration of imaginative artistry and acting talent, but tinged with sadness.

The death of vice president Charles Grace played heavily on the minds of those closely connected to the festival, but they were determined to celebrate what he had achieved.

Festival director Ashley Heath said: "He's been a part of this festival for a very long time and we will always remember him."

Despite the sad note, the one act plays produced some wonderful performances and innovative use of scenery. Plays were performed in front of an audience and adjudicator, and awards were given out on the final night.

Harold Jolliffe Festival review in the Swindon Advertiser

Ashley said: "What I continue to get out of the festival is all these people work very hard to get these plays together.

"Each group looks at somebody else's work and gets something from it."

In criticising other people's work, Ashley believes actors can gain new skills. He picked out Best Actress winner Sian Butler for special praise, saying her performance was "very powerful".

Overall winners The Old Town Theatre Company
Left to right: Matt Kelly, Jane Dale, Jayne Ackrill and Nancy Heath

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