News reading, adult group dance and stand up comedy classes have been added to the list for the Manx Guild 2019.

Those looking to participate in this year’s Manx Music Speech and Dance Festival have less than a month to apply, as entries close on February 9.

The event organisers have announced new options for children and adults to enter in the 127th show.

This includes an adult group dance class, a set of news reading classes where entrants will be asked to present scripts in the form of a radio news bulletin, a singing duet class for years three to six and a new adult stand-up comedy class.

They also announced that the character study class has been renamed as ’monologue’ and the children’s Manx spoken word classes now include standard English as well as dialect.

The festival, also known as The Manx Guild, will take place from April 27 to May 4.

It hosts more than 200 classes over the duration of the week, covering music, dance and drama competitions.

’We recognise that tastes and styles change and that’s why we constantly look at making room for exciting new additions,’ said festival secretary, Jacqueline Yates.

’The Guild showcases the best of island talent and we always aim to move with the times to attract new people.

’We are really looking forward to seeing how the new classes are received, particularly the news reading and stand-up comedy classes which we have added to our drama offering.’

Dandara is sponsoring the event for the fifth year in a row.

Last year’s winners of trophies are reminded to return their trophy ’clean, engraved and in good condition’ to Peter Norris Music, Bucks Road, Douglas, by March 30.