THE Congress theatre, Cwmbran will play host to theatre groups from all over Wales next weekend.

Gwent Drama Association (in association with the Drama Association of Wales) is to host a two-day amateur theatre festival at Cwmbran on June 8 and 9 for the Wales Final of One Act Plays.

The Wales Final sees six high quality productions, selected from regional theatre festivals all over Wales to compete for the honour of representing Wales at the British Final of One Act Plays against the winners of National Finals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. This year’s British Final will be hosted by Wales in Milford Haven in July.

Next weekend promises to be an entertaining one, with three productions on each night.

Friday, June 8 Curtain Up at 7pm The Unknown OUTCasts (from Cardiff) performing Future Shock by Richard Stockwell Blackwood Little Theatre (from Blackwood) performing Godfather Death by Vic Mills The Players’ Theatre (from Gelligaer) performing Watch Over Me by Ross Burgess Saturday June 9 2.30pm Script-in-hand performance of an award-winning script. This performance is free to attend and will take place in the foyer of the Congress Theatre, Cwmbran.

Saturday June 9 Curtain Up at 7pm Loose Cannons (from Holyhead) performing Day of Days by Sean O’Connols Phoenix Theatre Company (from Mold) performing The Witches of Macbeth devised by the company Blackwood Little Theatre (from Blackwood) performing Biscuits by Graham J Evans The six productions cover the whole gamut; from tragedy to high comedy, so you’re sure of a varied two nights of theatre. All six plays are new pieces written specifically for the festival.

Festival goers and supporters of the participating theatre groups will be travelling from all over Wales to Cwmbran.

Tickets are £8/£6 per night or alternatively, season tickets are available at £14/£10. Theatre tickets can be booked online at www.congresstheatrecwmbran.co.uk