The very best that local amateur dramatics have to offer will be battling it out for prizes when Leatherhead hosts its ever popular annual drama festival.

Chaired by Sir Michael Caine and featuring acts from across the county, the two-week festival promises a number of theatrical highlights.

The junior week is already well underway, before the seniors take over on May 11 offering five nights of top-notch entertainment before the glitzy awards bash on Saturday May 16, hosted by Caine himself.

Chairman David Brett reveals the clamour to take part reached stampede proportions.

He explains: “We start putting the festival together in September the year before, and we contact the drama groups right across Surrey.

“Our only criteria is that it has to be a piece lasting between 20 and 55 minutes.

“We were inundated with entries and we have had to turn a fair few away, which is desperately sad.

“But that does mean that you really get the cream of the crop, and the standard stretches from village theatre pretty much up to a professional standard.

“In fact, Sir Michael has commented many a time that the amateur drama he sees now far outstrips stuff from his youth.”

Caine has taken an active role in proceedings, and will once again be on hand to dish out the awards.

And Brett concedes the presence of the acting legend adds great weight to proceedings.

He adds: “I must be honest and say Michael’s appearances have been a godsend.

“With him in the building it really adds to the atmosphere.

“But equally I think we have established such a high standard now that even if his name wasn’t attached, we would still get good crowds.”

The line-up sees three pieces a night, and Brett is looking forward to the variety on offer.

He reveals: “We take care when putting the line-up together, as it is much better to have drama-comedy-drama than drama-drama-drama.

“A good mix will always keep the crowd entertained.

“But anyone who comes along will be promised a great evening’s entertainment, and every evening will be very different.”

Leatherhead Drama Festival, Leatherhead Theatre, May 4-16, 7pm, £10-£25, 01372 365141