About Us
Who Are We?
The BDTG was formed some 100 years ago to foster live theatre in the Midlands. It aims to promote co-operation and help amongst amateur groups and to publicise and lobby on behalf of the activities of amateur theatre.
Our Aims:
The objects of the Guild are to further the advancement of the arts of drama and music, and the promotion of general education in relation to all aspects of such arts and the development of public appreciation therein.
Funding:
The Guild is a non-profit making registered charity. It is totally dependant on membership contributions, plus financial support in the form of sponsorship from businesses and trust funds to carry out this work. If you feel you might be able to help us with funding, please email : chair@bfame.co.uk
Thank you.
Contacts:
The Guild feels that it is important for amateur theatre to be kept in touch with what is happening both locally and nationally in the theatrical scene. We are therefore, in contact with, and send representatives to meetings which will have some bearing on amateur theatre. We then report on the activities of these bodies
BFAME
Our Festival – What’s it all About?
Our festival is split into two.
PERIPATETIC
Our peripatetic full-length play competition runs annually from April to February — and the best part? We come to you! Just invite us to see your show, pay the entry fee, and boom — you’ll get a sparkling review published right here on our site.
But that’s not all… your production will also be in the running for one of our shiny awards at the fabulous BFAME Festival!
It’s open to all kinds of amateur theatre — youth, musicals, you name it. So whether you’re belting out show tunes or performing high drama in a church hall, we want in.
Let the curtain rise — we’ll bring the applause!
ONE ACT
A Weekend of Theatrical Magic!
This time, you come to us! Our One Act Festival is a weekend packed with drama, laughter, and a little healthy theatrical rivalry. You’ll perform your one act play on a professional stage, sharing the spotlight
with other brilliant groups — three shows per session, all cheering each other on. It’s a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and stagecraft.
And the grand finale? Our fabulous Awards Night, where we roll out the red carpet and honour the best of the best — joined by groups from our Peripatetic Festival too! It’s a weekend where the entire amateur theatre community comes together for a full-on drama-fest (the good kind).
So gather your cast, grab your props, and bring your best performance — we’ll provide the lights, the stage, and the awards!
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Portfolio
Photographs from some of the plays from last years one act festival.
Grab a seat at our 2025 Festival!
But Wait… There’s More.
AETF
Theatre groups enter their one-act plays into a preliminary round festival (such as BFAME). They perform them in front of an audience and an Adjudicator from GoDA (Guild of Drama Adjudicators).
The winner of each preliminary round festival goes through to the relevant AETF Quarter Final (if relevant) and then through to the Semi Final in their areas.
The winners of the four Semi Finals compete at the English Final to become the All-England Theatre Festival winner.
The winner of The English Final will go on to compete at The UKCDFF British Final of one act plays.
SO.. The winners of our AETF entry will be performing Saturday 3rd May at Highbury Theatre.
That one week after our festival!
Better get the ticket sorted quickly. Click below.
Contact us
Questions? Comments? Like to join the guild? Reach out to us below.
contact information
