One Act Play boosted by more youngsters interested in drama

Whereas last year’s Gadoc event saw a fairly even split between adults and children taking to the stage in four productions, this year’s line-up features eight different plays in which a total of 132 young performers will be involved, alongside just a handful of adults.

‘I think since Covid there’s been a real groundswell of interest in drama – I suppose because we were all locked up,’ festival organiser Jenny Falla said.

‘It’s great how much youth is involved in the arts generally and in drama in particular and I think this is an expression of that.’

Having taken over the organisation of the festival this year, assisted by John Gaisford, Mrs Falla reached out to organisations outside of Gadoc to encourage wider participation – and her invitations were well received.

‘We’ve got involvement from the Grammar School, Music Box, the Cheshire Dramatic Arts Academy, St Stephen’s and Avril Earl this year, so that’s great,’ she said.

‘Usually it’s been mainly Gadoc entries.’

There are plenty of adults involved backstage, including stage managers, lighting, sound, make-up and costumes – in addition to each production being required to provide chaperones – but there is also a new emphasis on youth development in that area for this year’s festival.

Katie Luxon is one of the young talents who has thrown herself into various roles.

As well as acting in two Gadoc productions – Panto Pandemonium and the Genuine Genie – she has also done the choreography for the play that will open the festival, called Radio Ghost.

‘I’ve really enjoyed it because it’s been a really professional atmosphere,’ said the 14-year-old.

‘The plays are all quite separate things and I have an equal share of love for all of them. I’ve enjoyed them all so much.’

Her co-star in The Genuine Genie, Mia Larbalestier, also 14, said that with there being only one performance to look forward to, the joy has been in the preparation, which began with rehearsals in early March.

‘As much as I love the performance, it’s always great doing rehearsals because you can see the whole thing grow and everyone getting better and better,’ she said.

Radio Ghost co-director Berian Jones – who was in the cast of last year’s award-winning Bad Eggs – has put together a 10-strong cast of under-15s with the aim of giving another opportunity outside of school productions.

‘We saw the festival as a chance to get them on the stage again and raise the confidence of some of those who are not normally raised into the spotlight,’ he said.

Among those is 10-year-old Olivia Cooley, who has been in seven previous productions but now has a speaking role for the first time.

‘I play Ivy who’s really elegant but a bit confused most of the time,’ she said. ‘It’s really fun.’

n Gadoc’s 73rd One Act Play Festival runs from Monday until Thursday, with each evening’s entertainment getting under way at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from GuernseyTickets.gg priced £9 plus a 7.5% booking fee. A ticket for all four evenings is £30 plus 7.5%.