The Cinderella Trophy Competitions

for pantomimes and seasonal productions

Rules & Conditions Of Entry
The Competition
Entry is open to all Somerset Amateur Drama Groups/Societies producing pantomime. However it is a pre-condition of entry that the group is a member of the Somerset Fellowship of Drama or becomes a fully paid up member prior to or at the time of entry into the competition. Annual group subscription is £25. The Cinderella Trophy Competition entry fee is a further £30.
Method of Entry
Entry shall be by submission of the enclosed entry form and the £30 entry fee at least six weeks before performances commence and no later than 31 December. The entry form and fee should be forwarded to the Cinderella Co-ordinator at the address overleaf. Any entry NOT accompanied by an entry fee will not be accepted. Acceptance of the entry will be by means of a Confirmation Form.
Non-Competitive Entry:  If the group wish simply to get the benefit of an adjudication of their work, and do not want to be considered for nominations or possible awards, then an adjudicator will attend and will forward a written assessment after the show, but the Moderator will not attend. Please mark your entry clearly with the words 'Non-Competitive'. The entry fee will then be just £15. 
Scripts
Original - An Original Script is one that has been generated for the purposes of the entered performance and which has not been published. An unpublished script which has been previously performed by another group does not qualify as an ‘original script', neither does a published script which has had local or topical additions added. Groups are hereby warned that the Law protecting Copyright forbids the plagiarism of a published script and that penalties are very severe. Where a script is truly original to that production, the phrase "Original Script" should be ticked on the Entry Form.
Original Scripts are encouraged and will be adjudicated for an award. Aspects considered are:
Structure: A good shape, with changes of fortune ‘en route'.
Continuity & Flow: A believable logic, however bizarre, to explain ‘what next'.
Economy of Writing: Scenes full of events, without being padded out.
Quality of ‘Local' References: Factual or topical events woven into the story without detriment.
Other - Where a published or other non-original script is used, or an entertainment is based upon a published script, the group are responsible for obtaining a performance license from the appropriate agent, and crediting the author in their publicity and programmes.
Submitting of Scripts - The nominated Adjudicator will request a copy of the script when contacting the Society to confirm adjudication. SOCIETIES SHOULD ENSURE THAT THIS IS FORWARDED TO THE ADJUDICATOR A MINIMUM OF FOURTEEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE ADJUDICATION DATE unless the adjudicator indicates otherwise.
Production details - The relevant part of the Confirmation Form should be handed to the Adjudicator on arrival at the performance together with a copy of the production programme.
Marking - Productions will be assessed against an agreed Marking Guide. Marks will be awarded against the following scale: Direction 15; Music 15; Comedy 10; Stage Management 10; Dance 10; Costume and Make-Up 10; Tradition 10; Entertainment Value 5; Best Dames Entrance 5; Audience Participation 5; "Its Behind You" 5;  If any script lacks any of these elements, adequate adjustment will be made.
Performances will be visited by a Somerset Fellowship of Drama Adjudicator and by the Competition Moderator. Two pairs of tickets will be required on dates to be notified to Groups by an adjudicator, the moderator and/or the Cinderella Coordinator. Dates for adjudication/moderation are NOT bookable in advance by ANY Society. Where possible tickets should be for aisle seats. (Societies should hold back two pairs of tickets for each performance until dates are notified by the Adjudicator/Moderator). Judging will take place between 1 November and 31 March.
A written report will be supplied to the participating group as soon as feasible after the adjudicator's visit but not before the conclusion of the run of the pantomime.
A feedback form will be forwarded by the Coordinator along with the confirmation form. Please return to the feedback form to the competition Coordinator.
Moderation
The merits of all competitively entered productions will be discussed by the moderator and panel of adjudicators at a moderation evening after the season.
Awards 
The presentation of trophies and winning certificates will be made at the Awards Ceremony which is usually held on a Saturday in May each year..
The main trophies awarded are:
The Cinderella Trophy, presented by C. & J. Clark Limited, for the best production overall.
The Bridgwater Pantomime Shield, for the Cinderella Trophy Runner-up.
The Spotlight Shield, donated by David Beach, awarded to the best entry from smaller groups.
The Fellowship of Drama Shield, for the Spotlight Shield Runner-up.
Other major awards include Best Direction, Best Outstanding Performance, Best Dame, Best Musical Director, Best Principal Girl etc. Awards are also given for other aspects of the production including Best Original Script, Props, Scenery etc. We also have the Roger Cuff Award which is for best Comedic Scene. For performers aged 16 years or under there are special awards including Stars of the Future certificates.

Trophies
The engraving, cleaning and returning of trophies will be the responsibility of winners.
Trophies are retained by the winners from the Awards Evening until the end of the following competition season. Trophies awarded for the season are to be returned cleaned and engraved to the Competition Coordinator by no later than 6 weeks before the next Awards Evening.
Administration
It is a condition of entry that each competing group must state in their programme that the production "has been entered in The Cinderella Trophy Competition organised by the Somerset Fellowship of Drama". Adjudicators will be asked to take note of this.
It is also a condition of entry that, in the event of a sponsor being appointed to the competition, each competing group must include in their publicity and programme such acknowledgement as is required by the Fellowship. Display material suitable for the entry venue may also be provided by the sponsor.
Queries
Any enquiries should be addressed to The Cinderella Trophy Coordinator, Pam Price, 40 Wessex Road, Yeovil BA21 3LR. Tel: 01935 479633. Email: pam.2000@zen.co.uk
Please click here to download the entry form.