Ayrshire Theatre Company Crowned Drama Champions of Britain

At the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea on Saturday 05 July, Stewarton Drama Group from Ayrshire were crowned British Drama Champions 2008.

The Group are the overall winners of the 2008 British Final Festival of One Act Plays - from a total of over 800 productions which were entered in the competition across the United Kingdom this year.

The British Final Festival is the annual national amateur event, when theatre companies and enthusiasts from all over the UK come together to learn and celebrate.

Stewarton Drama Group won their place at the 2008 British Final when they were placed first at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on 24 May 2008 at the Scottish Final of the Scottish Community Drama Association One-Act Play Festival.

In the hands of Stewarton’s award-winning director Nancy McPherson, their production of “One Good Beating” by Glasgow playwright Linda McLean wowed judges and finished top out of the 170 plays entered in the Scottish national competition this year.

At the British Final held on 4 & 5 July in Wales, the Stewarton team finished the job by seeing off tough competition from the other 3 national winners from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and were awarded the prestigious Howard de Walden Trophy as the new British Champions.

The Group were given a much appreciated helping hand on their 800 mile round trip to Wales, thanks to their sponsors Arnold Clark.

Sir Arnold Clark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd said:

“Arnold Clark was delighted to sponsor Stewarton Drama Group for their exciting trip to the British Final. We send them our warmest congratulations on their magnificent achievement in bringing the title of British Drama Champions home to Ayrshire.”