Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival winners PHOTOS

In its 94th year, IWMDDF has taken place every year since 1924 – except for the war years – and is the only festival of its kind on the Island.

The festival provides an opportunity for public performance in a supportive environment with constructive feedback designed to encourage young people and adults to improve and achieve their potential.

• See below to find out how to share your IWMDDF photos with the Isle of Wight County Press!
  
  

Some of the early winners at this year's IWMDDF (Image: Contributions)

Read more: 

• Island's Music, Dance and Drama Festival underway for 2024 - share your photos!
• Early winners at Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival 2024

Former CP community content editor, now MAD-Aid Fundraising Manager, Kate Young, 49, said the 2024 competition marks 40 years since her first entry into speech and drama classes.

It is also 50 years since her late teacher, Vera Taylor, won the poetry cup in 1974.

Kate won class 492 original composition senior poem with 89 marks and class 495 article senior, scoring 87.

Kate Young with her two IWMDDF trophies (Image: Contributions)

Kate said: "I haven't taken part in the festival for a few years, so it was lovely to win both the senior poetry and article writing cups.

"I wish more writers would take part - there were five in the poetry class, but it would be great to see more."

Finn Parsons with his winners trophy (Image: Contributions)

Finn Parsons, who attends St Georges School and is taught by tutor Jeni Law, achieved 87 marks to win the 16-18 years dramatic scenes/male character speech/Shakespeare play class.

How to send your IWMDDF to the Isle of Wight County Press!

To send us your photos, either scroll down to find our submission form, email us at editor@iwcp.co.uk with IWMDDF in the subject line, or find us on Facebook, Instagram or X.

Annabelle Gibbs has won three classes at this year's IWMDDF (Image: Contributions)

Annabelle Gibbs followed in the footsteps of her granny, great-aunt, aunt and cousin by winning at the IWMDDF.

Competing at her first festival, Annabelle was thrilled to have won the age 10 verse speaking, sight reading and improvised speaking classes, achieving marks in the 80s.

Hilary Foister and Jo Matthews were delighted to win at this year's festival (Image: Contributions)

Hilary Foister, 75, and Jo Matthews, 72, won the senior impromptu drama pairs with a performance of Locked In A Museum, scoring 88 marks.

The pair also found success in the senior pairs miming class and were delighted to receive a score of 89 to take home the trophy.

Amara Wetherall and Angela Voong have won several classes at the competition (Image: Contributions)

Students of tutor Ellen Weeks, Amara Wetherall and Angela Voong have also won trophies at this year’s event.

Amara scored high marks to win the 12-13 years sight reading and own composition poem classes.

She teamed up with Angela for the 12-13 years duologue, earning 89 marks to secure another win.

Angela also experienced solo success, winning the 13 years verse speaking class.

Jake Eastman achieved the joint highest mark in the speech and drama section (Image: Contributions)

Jake Eastman, who attends The Free School, has achieved the joint highest mark in the speech and drama section.

With an outstanding score of 90, Jake won the 12-15 years improvised speaking class.
He also received a mark of 89 to win the 13 years verse speaking.

Taught by Ellen Weeks, Jake said: "My prize is the laughter, placing doesn't matter."