MADF: Festival of One Act Plays 2026

Adult £12 / Over 65 £10 / Under 18 £5 

Festival season ticket £35

MADF is delighted to welcome back to EAC their 2026 Festival of One Act Plays, adjudicated by hugely popular Sue Doherty (GODA). 

Presenting Drama and Comedy from renowned playwrights and featuring four original pieces of writing from Island authors. Enjoy 4 nights of thought-provoking entertainment provided by talented actors and directors from across the Island. Sue Doherty will give an enlightening adjudication about the plays and the performances after the final play each evening.

Wednesday 11 March, from 7pm:

Service Players: Janet and John by Michael Pearcy

Janet and John have been married a long time, but she has no idea what announcement he might have in store for her. She only knows that it’s unheard for him to give up his Friday night at the railway society to take her out to dinner. Why?

Rushen Players: Parallels by Wood and Kinley

A married couple, both architects, go for counselling when their marriage is in trouble. Their experiences stir up troubling memories in the therapist of his mother’s alcoholism. Warning: Strong language.

Starling Crew: Theodora by Gemma Varnom

Asteroid ‘Theodora’ is on an unstoppable, apocalyptic collision course with Earth, and every soul on the planet must choose how to spend the precious few hours that remain. Mia is resigned to a night alone with her favourite music, a bottle of tequila and a top-tier cheeseboard, when ex-boyfriend Danny comes crashing back into her life. With impact fast approaching, Mia and Danny must decide what truly matters when there are no more chances… and no more consequences.

Thursday 12 March, from 7pm:

High Horse Productions: Little Dolls by Nancy Harris

Vicky seeks counselling from John to overcome her intense fear of darkness. But what if there really is some truth in her anxiety, and what if the darkness really is a disease? Warning: references to mental illness.

Underwood Productions: Bus 404 by Alessandro Mazzota

A normal tour guide takes a small batch of what seem to be tourists around the beautiful Isle of Man. One moment in time and one change of thought creates a devastating turn of events that changes the lives of everyone on board Bus 404.Warning: reference to sexual assault and violence.

Service Players: Roast Dinner by Lisa Smith

Carrie and Ben are in love but they have an unusual relationship with unique challenges. Mum is a big help though, as is friend Karl, and everyone can agree that roast dinner is the best part of life – what can’t be fixed over a steaming gravy jug?

Friday 13 March, from 7pm (Youth Plays):

Stage Door Academy: Me, My Monsters and I by Grey Pratt

This is a children’s play dealing with loss and feelings.  The ‘KID’ is confronted by their emotions ‘ANXIETY’, ‘JUDGEMENT’, ‘FAILURE’, CHANGE’, ‘ENVY’, ‘PAIN’, ‘DEPRESSION’ and ‘LOSS’ after the death of their sister in a car accident.  The kid works with the emotions to deal with what has happened.

Elite Theatre Arts: Lockdown by Douglas Craven

Eight students sit in a dark classroom, not knowing if the lockdown that has been announced is a drill or a real emergency. When their teachers leaves, should they stay where they are or run? Warning: reference to violence.

Stage One Drama: In Juliet’s Garden by Judy Elliot McDonald

Juliet invites four other Shakespearean heroines to lunch. They discuss the issues they all have with their plots. Juliet’s Nurse and Shakespeare’s agent attempt to settle matters.

Saturday 14 March, from 7pm:

Cobbled Heights: Matter of Husbands by Ferenc Molnar

A young wife believes her husband is in love with a famous actress. The actress uses her charm and quick thinking to convince the wife that it is all a misunderstanding. The play ends with a twist, leaving the truth a mystery.

Rushen Players: The Blood of the Lamb by Arlene Hutton

A heartfelt look at two women navigating the vagaries of the law which requires a dead foetus to be carried to term as an unborn ‘citizen’ of the state of Texas.Warning: reference to child loss and abortion.

The Youth and Adult awards will be presented on Saturday night after the adjudication of the evening’s plays.