Ilminster Entertainment Society (IES) said it is “ready and waiting” to defend its seven-year winning streak as the Somerset County Drama Festival returns in 2026.
On March 21-22, nine plays from across Somerset will battle it out at Ilminster’s Warehouse Theatre, with IES ready to defend its title.
Organisers said groups include MADS (Minehead Amateur Drama School), CUDOS Youth Company and Clevedon School.
The festival is billed as a “showcase of talent” across Somerset, with Weymouth Dance Group, CUDOS, IES, Taunton Thespians, The @2k Theatre Group and Echoes taking part.
Ilminster Warehouse Theatre spokeswoman Irene Glynn said: "We have been extremely successful in the past, but it is anyone's game and there really are some powerful plays this year, so it is going to be interesting to see if we can hold onto the title for an 8th year."
Irene also said directors and actors have rehearsed with “fervour” for months and now want one of the 10 awards.
The most prestigious award is the County Drama Shield, given to the best overall production.
The winner goes to the All-England Theatre Festival semi-final at the Merlin Theatre in Frome on May 16.
The final is on May 30 at the Little Theatre in Leicester.
This year’s adjudicator is writer, director and actor Chris Jaeger, who has an MBE for services to the arts.
Last year, IES won the County Shield with My Best Friend by Tamsin Oglesby, then won the All-England Theatre Festival semi-final in Frome.
They reached the All-England final in Port Sunlight, but lost and said it was still an honour to go that far.
IES will defend their title with Knockin’ At Dave’s Door by Neil Webster, which they staged at their home theatre earlier this year.
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Irene said: “The festival is not just about winning prizes; it is about demonstrating the love for drama and performance that each of the participating amateur drama groups in Somerset has, and which is demonstrated throughout the year with their full-length play programme.
“The festival is sure to appeal to everyone as there are classic plays, melodramas, comedies, hard-hitting kitchen sink dramas and two original plays which always showcase local talent of being able to write as well as direct.”
She added: “Please support your friends, family, and local drama groups as they offer you the best of drama in Somerset 2026.”
Tickets are on sale on the Warehouse website from £10 per session or £16 per day.
The Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster’s Brewery Lane is run by volunteers and is home to Ilminster Entertainment Society and Ilminster Youth Theatre.
This year’s IES entry, "Knockin’ on Dave’s Door", is a comedy in which Bob Dylan arrives in the UK to see his friend Dave Stewart but ends up at the wrong house.
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