Last call for local performers, dancers, and musicians for Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival

By Jamie Hill - 26 September 2023

Arts and Culture

The deadline to enter the Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival is soon

The Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival is gearing up for its fantastic annual event which takes place over three weekends in November - 11th and 12th, 18th and 19th  and 25th and 26th of November - at the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy this year.

The festival, which draws performers from all over Wiltshire and beyond, is now in its 14th year. As the festival grows in popularity, it is now operating over three consecutive weekends for the first time since the festival began.

There are a wide range of classes available over the three weekends including Acting, Television News Reading, Mime Musical Theatre, Guitar, Choirs, Piano, Ballet, Tap and Cabaret and lots more. Details of classes and how to enter can be found on our website www.RWBArtsFestival.com. We are also introducing some new classes this year including:

  • Novice Dance (a class uniquely for dancers who haven’t yet won a class)
  • A guitar family ensemble class
  • German composer classes for piano
  • Electronic keyboard Classes
  • Pupil and teacher duets
  • Traditional music from any countries
  • More Musical Theatre Classes
  • Radio play writing class

The festival also offers a poetry writing competition and for the first time this year, we are opening the class to adults. The deadline for this is 30 October. The festival’s resident poet Ceri Gascoyne will judge the entries.

The Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival welcomes entries from participants of all ages, from the very young to adults. There are opportunities for groups, pairs, and solos.

The closing date for all entries is 30 September.

Sandra McDowell, Chair of the Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival said: “We are delighted to see our thriving festival expand again this year. It will be running over three consecutive weekends all under one roof. We are so grateful to The Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Sixth Form and G4S for offering us such an excellent venue.

“We have also added many new classes to our Dance, Musical Theatre and Music sections. Please have a look at our website for the full syllabus.

“Over the three weekends we have a range of  excellent adjudicators ready to give valuable feedback to our entrants. We know they will be engaging, inspirational and enriching.

“Performance of any sort is the shaping and foundation of young people’s lives and in turn this helps them grow and gain confidence for the complex world we live in. We are delighted to be able to offer them this opportunity. We are truly grateful to The Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, G4S and our wonderful volunteers and teachers without whom we would not have such a vibrant and thriving festival.”

The Royal Wootton Bassett Speech and Drama Festival is the only one in Wiltshire affiliated to the British and International Federation of Festivals. It aims to promote all Arts being taught and performed in Royal Wootton Bassett and surrounding areas.

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