Record number of children taking part in Scunthorpe Musical Festival which starts on Monday (March 4)

YOUNGSTERS from a Scunthorpe-based performing arts group will give their debut performance at the town's music festival.

Budding young talents are busy rehearsing to impress judges with their speech and acting skills ahead of the Scunthorpe Musical Festival.

This year the contest will have a record number of children taking part – with a new school and a new club joining the entries.

Youngsters from Bottesford Infant School and the Scunthorpe-based performing arts group Dramarama will give debut performances at the festival, which will run from Monday, March 4 until Saturday, March 9.

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Teri Kent, principal of Dramarama, said: "We only started the group in March last year, so were too late for the Speech and Drama Festival then.

"I remember entering it as a child and thought it would be a good experience for the children.

"I am very excited for them and I'm sure they will do really well and enjoy themselves."

Lexie Barnes, 6, a member of Dramarama, is one of the youngest children to be competing in the festival.

She said: "I am excited about the competition and I have a monologue to do. Hopefully I can win."

Courtney Barnes, 13, is also a member of Dramarama taking part in the festival.

She said: "I have been part of it for about six months and I've got a main part in one of the productions.

"I am looking forward to everything about it."

Jane Holmes, festival organiser, said: "It will be a very busy week.

"We have more than 500 entries with classes beginning Monday at 9am and running until Saturday at 11am.

"All the classes are at Frodingham Parish Hall, with the exception of choral speaking, which is at The House in Scunthorpe on Thursday morning and afternoon.

"Our final sessions take place at Invenio Academy on Saturday, March 9 at 4.30pm, when the mayor Ivan Glover and mayoress Ann Glover will be in the audience."

This year, the adjudicator will be Louise Manders, who started performing at a young age.

Among her many roles, Louise is an experienced theatre director who writes plays, poetry and dances Flamenco.

Members of the general public are welcome to come and see the young people perform. Sessions begin at 9am, 1.15pm and 6pm each day, for a small admission fee.

Festival results will be printed in the Scunthorpe Telegraph.

As well as the Scunthorpe Music Festival, a music week in Brigg will run from Monday, March 4 to Thursday, March 7 at St John the Evangelist Church on Bigby Street.

The drama week will start at the Angel Suite in the market place on Monday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 12. It will then move to St John the Evangelist Church on Wednesday, March 13.

The festival concert will then be held at The Vale Academy, on Grammar School Road, on Saturday, March 16.