MORE than 1,800 entries have been received for the upcoming Isle of Wight Music Dance and Drama Festival (IWMDDF) which starts on Sunday, March 1.

The annual festival — now in its 90th year — offers competitors the chance to receive feedback from expert judges for their public performances.

Send any festival successes to editor@iwcp.co.uk

The 2020 festival kicks off with a pop and rock day at Shanklin Theatre.

Subsequent music classes, both vocal and instrumental, and speech and drama classes take place over the following two weeks, with dance classes running from March 14 to 21.

The festival, a registered charity, is established to advance, promote and encourage the study and practice of the arts of music, dancing, elocution, literature and acting.

The event, which is the only one of its kind on the Island, provides an opportunity for public performance in a supportive environment with constructive feedback from professional, internationally recognised adjudicators.

The 385 classes will see 1,804 participants involved at a range of venues including Shanklin Theatre, St John's Church in Newport, All Saints' Church in Ryde and Garfield Road Methodist Church Hall in Ryde.

Chris Hartley, festival committee member, said: “We are very excited to be holding our 90th festival, carrying the torch of the competition festival movement, which started more than 100 years ago with participants from all over the world.

"The movement encourages and nurtures performers in speech, drama, vocal and instrumental music, helping to build confidence through an opportunity for performance within a supportive environment, with constructive feedback from professional accredited adjudicators.

"The sky is the limit for those with a passion for their discipline.”

Volunteers are always needed to help at the festival. Anybody interested can contact the team via www.iwmddf.co.uk or on Facebook.

Class schedules can be purchased at the County Press office, Beardsall's in Shanklin and Ryde, Waterstones, Greenham's in Ryde, Mellish’s in Ryde, Glyn Morgan's in Shanklin and Seasons in Ventnor.

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