The Torbay and South West of England Festival is a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, one of over 300 festivals throughout the United Kingdom and Channel Islands. This year the Music Festival has already taken place with the Dance and Drama Festivals to follow during and after the Easter period. We love this time of year as our dressing rooms, event spaces, corridors and even the gardens outside are buzzing with youngsters (and the not so young), rehearsing their pieces, getting costumes ready and listening to last minute advice from parents, teachers and coaches. The joy of performing is something that these people will remember for the rest of their lives. Audiences are welcome to come and see the performances and sessions can be booked at the box office or online.
It all started with wartime evacuees…
The competitive Festival movement was already well established when the Second World War broke out in 1939. Torbay had a large number of evacuees attending school for half a day only, and the Youth Service, backed by local residents and businesses, arranged activities to occupy the children in their spare time. As a result in 1940 the first Festival was held.
Today..
The Festival judges a wide range of classes in a variety of disciplines; from lieder to barbershop choirs; from piano recitals to jazz quartets; from dramatic scenes from Shakespeare to My Favourite Nursery Rhyme and Musical Theatre; from classical ballet to tap dance via Highland Fling.
Find out more about the Festival here.
