Speech & Drama Section
The Speech & Drama day competitions are designed to share and celebrate budding poets, verse speakers, musical theatre performers, actors, prose readers and public speakers. There are classes for different age groups and set works to read. Other classes are for “own choice” of text to read or act out. A professional will adjudicate and give out certificates for winners, but all who take part can be proud of performing to an audience!
Our next Speech & Drama day will take place on Sunday 15 November 2026 at The Bull Theatre, Barnet (see venue details). More details (including the new syllabus) to be announced soon.
Syllabus
The syllabus describes all the classes, dates, entry fees, and other information for entrants.
Please read this carefully before entering a class.
Adjudicators
Cally Foster and Louise Manders
Louise Manders
Louise was born in Westcliff on Sea and first trod the boards when only five days old and has never looked back. Her varied professional theatrical career began with Haymarket Stage Productions progressing from stage management to acquiring her Equity card as an actress. She enjoyed touring the UK and appearing in all aspects of theatre including repertory, musicals, television and in films. She is an adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals and the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, and is also a member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. She was Artistic Director of the Phoenix Youth Theatre in Southend. Louise’s extensive work as an adjudicator has taken her all over the UK and abroad. She runs workshops and master classes, directs plays and musicals, devises original drama compositions, writes poetry and has written many musical plays. She teaches speech, drama, musical theatre, mime and dance drama to all ages of students, and specialises in the LAMDA examinations. Louise even finds time to dance flamenco! A festival is a celebration and enables all entrants to bring their creativity and enthusiasm to fruition. Louise is really looking forward to returning to the North London Festival and sharing in these celebrations.
Cally Foster
Since her first appearance in a festival at the age of five, Cally has been committed to the festival movement and has pursued a career as a speech and drama specialist. She was the principal of her Buckinghamshire based drama studio for more than 20 years, combining that role with travelling extensively in the UK, Europe and Internationally as an Examiner for LAMDA and as an Adjudicator. Cally also delivers workshops on all aspects of communication and performance and is on various Speakers’ Panels. She is an Adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, a former Speech & Drama Representative on the Adjudicators Council as well as a former Chairman of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. Cally believes performing in festivals not only encourages an appreciation of the Arts but also develops the communication and presentations skills so important in today’s world. She is delighted to be returning to the North London Festival and wishes everyone an enjoyable as well as a positive experience
Dan Collins
Up until 2024 Dan was the Administrator of the Speech & Drama section of the North London Festival of Music, Speech & Drama. Sadly he passed away in April 2024. He put so much energy, time, enthusiasm, skill, joy and care into his organising the Speech & Drama classes over recent years. He will be greatly missed and the NLF Festival organisers are very grateful for all he has done for young people in giving them the opportunities to develop their talents.
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