ACTORS from across the North West are being invited to compete for the Pendle’s first-ever theatre ‘Oscars’.

Theatre company The Garrick, which relocated to the ACE Centre last year, is behind the new Pendle One Act Festival (POAF).

And up to nine outfits will be competing for prizes including ‘best actor’, ‘best actress’ and ‘best director’, over the inaugural three-day event next April.

The leading director and overall production will also be honoured, alongside the most memorable ‘moment’ from the rival plays, and a special audience award.

Andrew Rawlinson, a member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, will be running the rule over the various entrants.

And his marks will be split between acting talent, production values, the overall presentation and ‘dramatic achievement’.

The ACE Centre, where the competition will take place, and the Association of Community Theatres are partners in the venture.

A festival spokesman said: “We felt that the one-act play genre has been somewhat overlooked in recent years.

“The format has a reputation for being a perfect training ground for new actors, directors and even writers, and so the POAF team felt it was important to raise its profile and organise the festival.”

Companies competing can choose to stage a one-act play or the first act from a longer production.

Festival entries can be lodged with secretary Beverly McKiernan c/o The ACE Centre, Cross Street, Nelson BB9 7NN, or by email at beverly.mckiernan@pendleleisuretrust.co.uk.