Over the past few years, I have worked as an emerging director across the northwest, helping to get new writing off the page and onto the stage. For me, this has been extremely rewarding as it has helped me gain more experience directing, but it has also been amazing to get scripts off the shelf for the writers.

The reason I wanted to set up a festival is that, as a writer, I play around with many ideas, and self-funding is hard. Staging your work is not always an option. I have often struggled with writing a full script and have found the beauty in a short play... But what to do with it? I have been a part of drama festivals as a writer, director, and actor, and across all three roles, I have seen how invaluable they are.

The dance industry is one of the biggest in the world for competitions and festivals; it is encouraging for creatives as it gives us something to work towards. We need to see more festivals for the drama world, for people of all ages to enter, no matter their experience or background. Having truthful and knowledgeable adjudications can help guide your work and help you take the next steps in progressing your piece.

This festival is an opportunity to celebrate your work, trial it out, and receive feedback—an excellent way to R&D your work. Due to the nature of it being a two-hander with a maximum of 15 minutes, this keeps costs and rehearsals down to a minimum.

I hope this festival encourages people to share their work, gives them the confidence to network with other creatives whom they could potentially collaborate with, and gives them a helping hand in developing their work. One opportunity I would like to offer one writer through the festival is a chance to showcase their work for two nights as part of a double bill. All the money we raise through this festival will cover our costs and contribute towards staging further projects.

Meet Deux Adjudicator, Sue Doherty Bed Honours , Guild of Drama Adjudicators (GODA)

Sue’s experience and dedication to arts education and theatre spans four decades. During her time as Head of a large Performing Arts Faculty at St Julies High School Liverpool, post 16 courses were firmly established in dance, drama, and music.

Sue passionately believes every young person should have access to the arts as part of their education, no matter what their background and individual ability. Examination results were consistently amongst the highest in national league tables. Her priority was to provide enrichment challenges and opportunities which would prepare students for future training and employment in the performance industry. Her students performed in national and international events, including productions in China and Barcelona.

Many of her pupils have studied at prestigious establishments including RADA, Guildhall and LIPA and have achieved success in the world of stage and screen These include Katherine Rose Morley (Last Tango in Halifax and The Syndicate) Laura Frances Morgan (The Culprits and The Hollow Crown) and BAFTA winner Jodie Comer, who still calls Sue Miss!

In 2008, as Creative Network co-ordinator, Sue played a significant role in Liverpool City of Culture events.

During her time as a key member of The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Teachers Forum, Sue collaborated with leading practitioners and companies. Projects included working with local primary schools and The Royal Shakespeare Company, which culminated in highly acclaimed productions of King Lear and Hamlet.

Sue now works as a freelance teacher and drama coach and is also Vice Chair of governors at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts Sixth Form College. She coaches students for auditions and supports teaching staff. Other projects include consultancy work and script writing. Her achievements in verbatim theatre include a production exploring dementia “She isn’t my Mother Anymore” which was performed at The Liverpool Everyman. She passionately believes that drama is an invaluable tool in raising awareness of social and historical issues.

In 2019 Sue, and fellow adjudicator Bev Clark, established the Cheshire One Act Festival which is now one of the largest festivals in the north of England.

Since joining GODA in 2013 she has been in demand as an adjudicator and practitioner. She has adjudicated festivals across the UK, including Guernsey, Scotland, Wales and this year she will be adjudicating in Gibraltar. In May 2022 she directed and adjudicated The Young Performer of Man project on The Isle of Man.

Sue was Vice Chair of GODA from 2021 to 2023 and is an adviser to NDFA. In July 2023 Sue delivered workshops on the adjudication process as part of the NDFA festival.