THE second Dart Drama Festival got off to a fine start on Thursday last with a selection of one-act plays from local drama groups. Absent from last year was Blackawton ADS, who had to withdraw due to the sudden serious illness of one of their cast - they were badly missed.

The group from Stoke Fleming, affectionately known as S.O.D.S., opened the evening with a piece specially written by their director Anna Perry. It was a spoof about a local group of ladies who were trying to get fit for the 2012 Olympic Games. A rogue man, played by Andy Burge, gets wind of their plans, and disguises himself as a very buxom lady in order to join the group. No one sees through his disguise, including the leader, Gloria, played by Val Phillips, and great fun is had as we get to know the various members of the team, and their efforts to get into shape. However, their good intensions are finally scuppered by the arrival of a hot-dog van. It was a suitable light-hearted play to get the evening off to a good start.

Then in their play 'What's For Pudding?' by David Tristram, the Inn Theatre Company gave us a wonderful romp through domestic upheaval. Mary, played by Lynne Deller, declares herself bored of her life with accountant husband Jack, played by Gil Garland. Their family tiff is interrupted by the arrival of Ted and Maureen, Max Brandt and Jane Windsor-Smith, whose 'hail fellow, well met' cheerfulness turns out to be only skin deep as the evening descends into complete chaos. Dennis, played by Ben Hamilton enters the fray to look through the club book to buy a new pair of trousers. His complete oblivion to the pandemonium around him reduced the audience to hysterical giggling. The final moment of recompense between Mary and Jack would be really charming if Jack hadn't blotted his copybook once more by asking for pudding!

Once again the Inn Theatre Company set standards, which make this festival a truly wonderful annual event.

Newcomers to the festival, the Salcombe Players, in a very funny sketch called 'Dinner For One', completed the first half. This was about a lady called Miss Sophie played by Lutena Yates, enjoying a birthday meal with four friends. The twist was that every guest was imaginary, and was played by the waiter, James, Eric Yates. As each course was served, so various drinks were poured by James and every drink was followed by a toast from all of the guests, which the waiter was required to drink on their behalf. Needless to say, by the end of the meal, James was very drunk indeed, and when Miss Sophie retires for the night, and requires James to 'do his duty once more' he can only manage to say "I'll try, Miss Sophie, I'll try!" The audience loved watching the meal progress and seeing James get more and more inebriated. Terrific fun.

After the interval, the audience were treated to a stylised verse fable performed by Dit'sum Players. Alan Shearwood played a character called Chance, who invited all to see how a king chooses the wrong wife due to 'chance'. Of the two possible candidates, Tidy, lives in a clean and neat kitchen and is very organised, and her counterpart, Slut, lives her life in blissful squalor. It just so happens that on the day the king calls to inspect their kitchens, Tidy has had a bad day, and her room is filthy, and Slut, against all expectations, has spent the day cleaning up. The king chooses his bride on outward appearances only, and marries Slut. As Tidy, Shona Morley, played the character with precise, neat movements, and Ellie Taylor, as Slut was deliciously slovenly. Callum Woodman played the king as a pompous, slightly foolish man who ultimately makes the wrong choice. Full marks to the director, Edith Wellman - anyone who can bring off the rhymes 'tidy' with 'bridey' gets the vote!

Dartmouth Players closed the evening with another fantasy called 'Heaven's Waiting Room', This was about the demise of Martin Dexter, played by Steve Watson, who is being interviewed by representatives from Heaven and Hell to decide where he will be sent. Bill Hunt played Gabriel – with the accent firmly on the gay – who was trying to decide which way to send Dexter. He was aided by his sexy secretary, Elspeth, Louise Adams. Also on hand was Brian Wimsley, played by Keith Pockett, who had been treated very badly by Dexter when alive, so does not hold any punches in his evidence. June Pockett, as Spode, gave a colourful performance as the agent from Hell. After a 'phone call from 'above', complaining that he hasn't been meeting his quotas, Gabriel decides that Dexter will go to Heaven after all. As Elspeth takes him 'upstairs', we realise that this is another decision that should have gone the other way. The whole cast worked hard to bring this difficult fantasy to life.

Each group made full use of the technical expertise of The Flavel, including back projections, lighting and sound effects. The organisers are already planning next year's festival, and have invited drama groups who wish to take part to contact the festival organiser Avril Dowding on 01803 712440 for details.

FOR the first time in the UK, the film making talent of young people from Vancouver will be seen in Dartmouth. Pacific Cinémathèque, a not-for-profit society dedicated to the understanding of film and moving images through exhibitions, film tours, educational services and film-related resources fosters critical media literacy and advances cinema as an art and as a vital means of communication in British Columbia and Canada.

This first Flavel Film Festival Exchange (fffx) will be held November 11-14 in The Flavel cinema at Dartmouth. The event celebrates young film making talent, showcasing new film work and building up and exchanging creative connections with Canadian film makers.

Four afternoon workshops and master classes are to be given to Dartmouth Community College students and each class is open to the general public by free, but ticketed, entry.

Devon born Geoff Taylor will show the journey from mobile phone movies, to making films for a living. Pat and David Francis will explore simple film sequences using an inexpensive video camera. Award winning Canadian writer and director Christopher MacBride will discuss the film making process of his short film 'Sleep Lab' the world premiere of which is to be shown during the Festival.

The final workshop is by professional film maker Callum McInnes who will concentrate on the crucial, everyday practicalities of film making which lie behind capturing the perfect shot.

There will be screenings of the Best of Young Canadian and Young British films from Pacific Cinematheque showing the work of primary and secondary school and tertiary college film makers - a showcase for high quality young people's films which will surprise and delight audience members. From drama to documentary and animation, this screening includes a remarkable selection of short films from across the UK.

Those scheduled have been selected from the winning entries in the annual First Light Movies contest together with winners from the National Film and Television School. The talent of these young film makers, who range in age from under 12 to post university, is quite breathtaking. There will also be a screening of two animated films, 'Dog 'and 'Stanley' by Suzie Templeton, winner of the short animation Oscar at last year's Academy Awards.

Two Canadian film premieres, 'River' by Marc Wihak and Christopher MacBride's 'Sleep Lab' will be screened. Wihak's first feature length film is a delicate and lyrical youthful rite of passage film in which an aspiring novelist, and photographer meet and explore their art and their dreams. Shot over twenty days with a budget of C$70,000 the film shows how much is attainable by the independent film maker. MacBride's new film is a short comedy which follows the insomniac Edgar to an overnight Sleep Lab where he hopes to encounter sweet Morpheus and change his sleeping habits.

'Emile' 15) starring two-time Academy award nominee Ian McKellen is to be shown on November 13. This impressive drama is directed by award winning Canadian, Carl Bessai. The poignant story features an ageing professor who abandoned his Canadian family forty years ago to pursue a career in England. He returns to Canada to receive a lifetime achievement award and in the process relives the mistakes and missed chances, the bitterness, the sadness of an emotionally unfulfilled life.

The fffx Movie Showcase on November 14 will be an opportunity for local school and college students from across the South Hams to meet at The Flavel and introduce and explain their work to their peers and other members of the audience.

The celebratory final night of the Film Festival on November 14 will feature a sing-a-long version of the hugely popular 'Mamma Mia' with the audience invited to don fancy dress and take part. Tickets will include a celebratory free drink.

This lively Festival promises to have something for everyone who is interested in films and film making. Sponsors include Great Cotton Cottages, Strete Barton House, Dartmouth Community College and Scorer Property Services.

Full information and tickets can be obtained from The Flavel Box Office. Tel: 01803 839530, online at www.theflavel.org.uk

DARTMOUTH & Kingswear Horticultural Society stage an Horticultural Quiz at The Flavel on November 17 at 2pm.

This promises to be a fun afternoon organised by Gardentime Garden Centre. Everyone welcome to join a team. Non-members £2 at the door.