2021 Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama will go ahead

Organisers of the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama have said their 2021 event planned for March will still be going ahead.

Performers are now urged to make sure they get their applications in by the end of this month.

However, because of continued uncertainty with coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, it will be a scaled-down version over 3-4 days (8-12 March) with solo performances only.

There will also be restricted numbers of performers and audiences members per session, following whatever Government guidelines are in place at the time.

“The last six months have been extremely challenging for those in the performing arts industry,” said festival’s chairman, Julia Smith.

“As a result, the committee feels it is so important for musicians and artists to have the opportunity to give a live performance, if at all possible, within a safe, compliant environment, which so many performers have missed in recent months.”

The committee has also said they will postpone their centenary celebrations until 2022 when they hope to be able to mark the occasion properly.

The festival has been running since 1921, providing a showcase for the wealth of talent in the amateur performing arts in Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

In an ordinary year, the festival offers a wide range of classes for all ages and abilities covering most musical genres as well as varied speech & drama classes.

“We will be constantly monitoring the progress of the pandemic,” added Julia.

“Whilst we want to be able to deliver a live performance opportunity, if this does not prove possible, we have contingency plans to move online instead so performers would still have the opportunity to perform and receive feedback.

“A decision on this will be taken nearer the time if this does prove necessary but we will let performers know in good time.”

A special edition electronic version of the syllabus has been published for this year only and can be found at their website.

“With entries closing on 31st December, now is the time to decide which classes you would like to try,” said Julia.

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