AETF All England Theatre Festival

The All-England Theatre Festival is the only nation-wide eliminating contest for one-act plays in performance. By taking part, amateur theatre groups can meet in a progression of festivals starting in their own location and culminating in the English Final. We exist to provide an opportunity of measuring the standard of work and learning how to improve it; of seeing the work of other companies and hearing constructive criticism and of playing in new and varying conditions before widely differing audiences. We therefore seek to encourage, in amateurs, originality and adventure in the choice of plays. We offer to audiences the assistance of an expert judge in assessing and appreciating the work they see upon the stage.

En is open to every bona-fide amateur drama group in England, who may enter through nominated local Festivals.

If there is no local Festival, local associations are invited to organise their own festivals to feed into the National event. This allows their members the opportunity to take part in the All-England Theatre Festival whilst retaining their own identity.