When the curtain fell on the 2019 Young Actor of Mann finals, no one at the Manx Amateur Dramatics Federation thought that it would be three years until they would hold the event again in its full form.

However, that is exactly what happened, and when the Covid restrictions fell into place, the Young Actor of Mann 2020 competition was one of the first casualties.

However, fast forward two years and the organisers of the competition have used their two years enforced break wisely.

When the event returns in May this year, it will be split into two days, with one an acting and stage performance workshop and the second a day of individual performance.

Michael Lees, president of the Manx Amateur Dramatic Federation, hopes that the new format will make the competition more open and will encourage more young actors to take part.

’We were determined that, when the competition eventually got back going again that is should be re-invented, and that it should be more open to anyone who wants to get involved,’ said Michael.

’So, instead of just holding the competition in the same format, with one day of fairly intense and pressurised performance, we decided to hold a two-day competition instead and have the first part a day of workshops, which will be taken by our adjudicator, Sue Doherty.

’She is terrific and will be able to teach the young actors so much in the way of technique and stage craft.

’Then they will act out two scenes in front of the audiences as usual on the following day.

’I think that this makes the whole competition a bit fairer and more open’, continued Michael.

’You do get a lot of very good actors who maybe make a mistake or two, or just let their nerves get in the way, as the day of competition can be quite unnerving.

’They will be judged by Sue on the way they handle themselves during the workshop as well as their performance, which I think would help people feel more at ease on the whole.

’Also, by not jumping straight into competition, it makes entering the competition seem more accessible to people who aren’t members of a drama school, or have not had lessons before.

’We want to make it open for as many people to get involved as possible.’

During the workshops, Sue will be helped by two assistants, one of whom is Tony Eccles, a professional actor, originally from the island, who has enjoyed a successful career on the stage and on television in the UK.

’He recently returned to live in the island and recently had a lead role in the Douglas Choral Union’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

’Tony is actually a former winner of the Young Actor of Mann competition, in 2005,’ said Michael.

’It’s great that we have someone like him involved, as the students can look at Tony and see that that’s where you can get to if you work and train hard enough, and take part in competitions like this.’

The current Young Actor of Mann is Robyn Mae Lawler, who won a shortened version of the competition in 2020.

The Young Actor of Mann competition takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 7 and 8, at the Kensington Road Youth Arts Centre and Ballakermeen High School Studio Theatre.

Students must be aged between 13 and 19 years old to take part and entries must be received by Saturday, March 12.

More information and details on how to enter are available from madf.im