Speech & Drama Rules

Copyright Regulations

Solo Verse, Prose Reading and Solo Acted Scenes

Entrants do not have to obtain copyright permission for the performance of any solo selection of less than ten minutes in length.

The title and author must be announced, and words may not be changed nor the gender of a character. It is illegal to change the gender of a character in a play which is still in copyright ie written within the last 70 years. Changing the gender of a character in a play written before this time is permissible but make sure that if it is a translation from e.g. Chekhov, Ibsen, Molière, the translator is also out of copyright.

The Section Secretary will supply you with a form in which to enter the title, author and publisher after all entries have been received. This must be returned, completed, by the requested date.

Duologues and Group Scenes

Entrants must obtain the copyright holder’s permission for any post 1948 scene. It is your responsibility to check whether your author or translator died before January 1st 1948. You are responsible for any performing licence fees requested by the copyright holder.

The Section Secretary will supply you with a form on which to enter the title, author and publisher, whether copyright or non-copyright, after all entries have been received. This must be returned, completed, by the requested date.

General

Teachers entering performers with SEN (Special Educational Needs) need to inform the Section Secretary at the time of entry.

All time limits must be adhered to or marks will be deducted.