Welcome. |
As always I look forward to welcoming you to Southampton Stage Dance Festival, now in our 86th year and the 28th year at The Point Theatre in Eastleigh on 23rd – 31st May 2026.
We provide an educational dance platform and performance opportunity for young people up to the age of 21. Despite its competitive nature we recognize that fundamentally festivals are here to support dancers along their own creative path and we are excited to explore how the use of the new mark scheme can provide dancers with the kind of high quality, constructive feedback that will inspire them to achieve their goals.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Mrs Sule Taylor (Festival Committee Chairperson)
Invitation. |
Dear Dance Teachers / parents
I have the pleasure of announcing that our 2026 Festival will be held at The Point, Eastleigh between 23rd and 31st May 2026 and will be adjudicated by Maxine Percy.
Entries details will be published closer to the time.
The class timetable will depend on the number of entries received, but our plan is to run classes each day from 9:15am to 8:00pm. We aim to publish the class timetable by mid-March and the complete programme early in April.
Any outstanding trophies need to be retuned by 15th March 2026 at latest (if not already returned). This may seem a long time before the Festival, but we do need time to check that they are cleaned and good repair, and to re-label them with new class names and return addresses.
To return trophies please contact Vic Brunink ([email protected]) or the festival secretary ([email protected])
Trophies must be returned in good order. If a trophy is lost/damaged or not returned on time, the committee reserve the right to:
Regards from Sule Taylor
[email protected]
Festival Committee Chairperson
I have the pleasure of announcing that our 2026 Festival will be held at The Point, Eastleigh between 23rd and 31st May 2026 and will be adjudicated by Maxine Percy.
Entries details will be published closer to the time.
The class timetable will depend on the number of entries received, but our plan is to run classes each day from 9:15am to 8:00pm. We aim to publish the class timetable by mid-March and the complete programme early in April.
Any outstanding trophies need to be retuned by 15th March 2026 at latest (if not already returned). This may seem a long time before the Festival, but we do need time to check that they are cleaned and good repair, and to re-label them with new class names and return addresses.
To return trophies please contact Vic Brunink ([email protected]) or the festival secretary ([email protected])
Trophies must be returned in good order. If a trophy is lost/damaged or not returned on time, the committee reserve the right to:
- charge the recipient for repair or replacement and/or
- withhold the presentation of further trophies to the recipient and/or school
Regards from Sule Taylor
[email protected]
Festival Committee Chairperson
Venue. |
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The Point Theatre Leigh Road Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 9DE |
For information on The Point and parking in Eastleigh see these websites:
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Admission. |
Adults |
Children/Concessions |
Performers and children under 2 |
£5 one session |
£3 one session |
Free |
£8 two sessions (in one day) |
£5 two sessions (in one day) |
Free |
£11 three sessions (whole day) |
£7 three sessions (whole day) |
Free |
£60 whole festival |
£45 whole festival |
Free |
Concessions = OAPs & children 14 years & under. No student discounts.
Programmes £4.50
Adjudicator.
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Maxine Percy AISTD CDE
Maxine trained at Northern Ballet School where she gained her teaching qualifications in ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern and National, the latter being under the watchful eye of the much loved expert Robert Harold. Whilst at college, Maxine performed on numerous occasions at the Manchester Opera House and Palace Theatre alongside Elaine Paige, Richard Harris and Bernard Cribbins to name but a few. Maxine went on to perform professionally appearing in the King & I (Topsy), West Side Story (Graziella) both at the Leicester Haymarket. She worked with choreographer Nicola Treherne in Her Benny at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and partnered Andy Serkis as the Gorilla/Lulu in Cabaret at the Sheffield Crucible. Other credits are Last Night of The Proms, Hyde Park, The Queen's Golden Jubilee at Buckingham Palace, The Big Breakfast on Channel 4 with Soulfish, a 10 piece soul band with whom Maxine still performs as a backing/lead vocalist. Furthering her teaching career, Maxine gained her CDE in 2009 and holds diplomas in Ballet, Tap and Modern. With the RAD, she gained qualifications in Anatomy and History of Dance. To complete the CDE she completed certificates in Health and Safety and Child Psychology. Maxine has a love for dance and a passion for the wider arts. Having been an All England competitor herself, performing at the prestigious galas held at Sadler's Wells, Maxine wants to inspire the next generation of young performers to reach their goals. The festival movement is a great platform for this and Maxine wishes all performers the best of luck as she hopes to encourage them all to enjoy their experience both on and off stage. |
Time Limits. |
(all times shown in minutes) |
10 years & under |
11 years & over |
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SOLO |
All except Musical Theatre |
1.5 |
2.0 |
SOLO |
Musical Theatre |
2.0 |
2.5 |
DUETS, TRIOS & QUARTETS |
All except Musical Theatre |
2.5 |
2.5 |
DUETS, TRIOS & QUARTETS |
Musical Theatre |
3.0 |
3.0 |
SMALL GROUPS |
All except Musical Theatre |
3.0 |
3.0 |
SMALL GROUPS |
Musical Theatre |
3.5 |
3.5 |
LARGE GROUPS |
All except Musical Theatre |
4.0 |
4.0 |
LARGE GROUPS |
Musical Theatre |
4.5 |
4.5 |
OPEN GROUP |
SEN |
4.5 |
4.5 |
Marking. |
We use the BIFF Marking scheme
The aim of the marking scheme is to ensure is to ensure that the performer is at the centre of everything we do. The new scheme promotes BIFF’s core values, Perform | Educate | Inspire, with a greater emphasis on the written and verbal teaching points. The scheme supports the provision of positive and constructive feedback to all performers to build confidence and self-esteem. BIFF strongly recommends the use of the scheme to ensure a measure of uniformity across all member festivals.
The aim of the marking scheme is to ensure is to ensure that the performer is at the centre of everything we do. The new scheme promotes BIFF’s core values, Perform | Educate | Inspire, with a greater emphasis on the written and verbal teaching points. The scheme supports the provision of positive and constructive feedback to all performers to build confidence and self-esteem. BIFF strongly recommends the use of the scheme to ensure a measure of uniformity across all member festivals.
BANDS |
OPTIONAL MARKS |
BAND DESCRIPTOR |
Exceptional |
95 - 100 |
A superlative performance, displaying exceptional artistic individuality. |
Outstanding |
90 - 94 |
An impressive performance technically and artistically, displaying spontaneity & clear individuality. |
Honours |
85 - 89 |
An excellent performance, demonstrating fluent technical and artistic skills with emerging individuality. |
Commended |
80 - 84 |
A convincing performance technically and artistically, with increasing stylistic & communication skills. |
Merit |
75 - 79 |
A competent performance, showing some artistic awareness and/or technical ability.Value |
Progressing |
70 - 74 |
A performance showing development of technique and/or communication and commitment. |
Developing |
65 - 69 |
A performance demonstrating an awareness of technical skills, requiring more consistency & artistry. |
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All England Dance qualifying criteria can be found here
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Trophies. |
TROPHIES : IMPORTANT NOTICE 2025 TROPHIES MUST BE RETURNED BY 15th MARCH 2026 AT LATEST
Trophies must be returned in good order.
If a trophy is lost/damaged or not returned on time, the Committee reserves the right to:
If a trophy is lost/damaged or not returned on time, the Committee reserves the right to:
- charge the recipient for repair or replacement and/or
- withhold presentation of further trophies to the recipient and/or school.
LSC Scholarship. |
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Dancers entering solos at the Southampton Stage Dance Festival will have a wonderful opportunity as our adjudicator is able to award one dancer aged 16yrs+ a 5-day Summer Course at the LONDON STUDIO CENTRE.
These courses are designed for students who are thinking of entering full-time dance training. |
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The 2026 programme is as follows: (for dates see LSC website)
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All courses require a minimum of 3 years dance training including at least 2 years of ballet. The Festival will make a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs.
The Scholarship winner will be chosen by our adjudicator based on the solos performed at the Festival. Interested/qualified dancers should register their names with the festival secretary, or at the ticket desk during the Festival (before their first dance). [email protected]
The Scholarship winner will be chosen by our adjudicator based on the solos performed at the Festival. Interested/qualified dancers should register their names with the festival secretary, or at the ticket desk during the Festival (before their first dance). [email protected]
Sule Taylor (Festival Chairperson) [email protected]
Future Festivals. |
- 2027 (All England Dance competition qualifier): Adjudicator TBC