Festival of Plays Judges Revealed: Neil Reidman, Duayne Boachie, Funmi Cole

Our BAP Festival of Plays has revealed its judging panel and host, bringing together three creative voices with strong roots in theatre, television, performance and community storytelling. Neil Reidman, Duayne Boachie and Funmi Cole will join the panel, adding a wide range of experience to a festival built around live performance and new work.

The announcement gives the festival a panel with an unusually broad mix of perspectives. Reidman brings stage and screen experience, with credits across major British television and recent theatre work.

Boachie brings the perspective of an actor who began in school and community theatre before becoming known to national audiences through television.

Funmi brings a strong combination of theatrical experience, community engagement and professional expertise to her role as a judge for BAP’s Festival of Plays. Having studied drama and trained for over 10 years at the Anna Scher Theatre, specialising in improvisation, she has experience performing on stage and working in television, as well as further training at the Identity School of Acting.

For performers, writers and theatre-makers, the judges are more than familiar names. They represent different routes into performance, different kinds of audience connection and different ways of understanding what makes a play land.

The festival panel brings together stage, screen and community experience.

Reidman’s work spans television drama, comedy and theatre.

Strong judging begins with close attention to story, craft and detail.

The panel will be looking at the work through experience earned across rehearsal rooms, television sets, tours, community events and live stages. Performances will be judged on:

• Story & Script /10

• Acting – /10

• Direction – /10

• Overall Impact – /10

Lady Esi will be hosting the show, and adds a multidisciplinary practice grounded in cultural heritage, hosting and public engagement. Her practice centers on the power of shared stories and live connection.

The judging panel is in place. Now the spotlight turns to the plays.

Don't miss out. Book tickets for Festival of Plays to see the judges in action.