CELEBS SUPPORT NEW DRAMA & SPEECH SECTION OF MARLOW FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & DRAMA

Marlow Music Festival, now in its 19th year, this autumn becomes Marlow Festival of Music & Drama. The Drama & Speech section of the Festival is at Liston Hall on the weekend of 8th and 9th November, and has already elicited the support of celebrities and headline award donations.

West End Star, Strictly Winner and Marlow resident Tom Chambers has just been announced as donating The Chambers Cup for Acting to the Drama & Speech Section of the Festival.

Tom says: 'All steps in life are about courage and it takes courage to get up in front of others and demonstrate the human range of emotions… if you move us, you have the ability to inspire us to become better people.

'I'm thrilled and honoured to be presenting a cup for Acting to the Marlow Festival of Music & Drama. There is no better life training than being onstage in front of others… if nothing else it will enhance your future skills for any social occasion or the inevitable job interview! It gives me great pleasure to be part of Marlow Festival of Music & Drama. Festivals like these are so important for children, giving them a chance to express their creativity without boundaries and take pride in themselves with the growing confidence it gives you.

'I hope teachers and parents encourage children of any ability to take part in our local Festival. Any child taking part will surprise themselves with abilities they never knew they had, and it encourages social bonding and memories in the physical world in harmony with our ever growing technical world.'

Other headline prize donations come from The Wycombe Swan Theatre, who are giving an award for Group Acting, and Marlow FM, who have given a trophy for the Most Promising Performer together with a live slot on air!

The Drama section is being run by RADA trained & BAFTA award-winning actress Jane Trainer (LifeStage) and GSA Trained, West End and TV actress Amber Edlin (Sparky’s). They commented: ‘We are thrilled that such a talented and respected actor as Tom Chambers and other amazing local companies have been so generous in donating awards to our new Festival section. It shows how local dramatic talent – young and old (there are classes for Under 7’s up to older adults) – is recognised in Marlow and the support we are getting is deeply appreciated and invaluable. We are looking forward to welcoming our local actors to the stage in November and would urge schools – primary and secondary, local drama schools and even amateur dramatic groups – if you haven’t already, to have a look at the Drama & Speech syllabus on the website and get those entries in before the end of September!’

Entry to all sections of the Festival are still open but spaces are filling quickly. The paper entry deadline is 24th September and the online entry deadline 1 October 2014.

If you or your business would be interested in sponsoring the Festival, advertising, donating an award or becoming involved, please contact the Festival Committee.

For further information on the Festival and how to be a part of this exciting event, celebrating local drama and musical talent, go to www.marlowmusicfestival.co.uk