ACTORS and production crew members were recognised for their hard work throughout the past year at an amateur dramatics group’s inaugural awards ceremony.
Around 100 Shinfield Players Theatre members dressed to the nines for the newly-formed Shinnies, on an evening which saw 17 awards handed out for both on-stage and behind the scenes performances throughout the 2023 season.
The theatre’s committee created a shortlist of three or four nominees for each of the categories before the public were given two months to vote for their favourites. A total of 217 votes were cast.
Co-host Jess Wilkins explained: “It was a brilliant night for all and a great opportunity to celebrate the first full season since before Covid-19.
“When you do a show, everyone sees the cast but there are so many more people involved behind the scenes who make it happen. We wanted these awards to recognise these people so half of the awards were for backstage contributions.
“It was also very important for us to recognise our youth group. We created their own categories so they didn’t have to go up against leads in adult performers. In the end, the best show of the season went to the Grease, which was put on by the youth group.”
Each of the awards were named after people who have made valued contributions to SPT, with some serving as recognition of members who have passed.
Together with fellow MC Mark Swarley, Jess set the tone for the evening with a surprise mash-up of three songs which had featured in shows this season: You’re the One that I Want, Rewrite the Stars and It Must Be Love.
The pair, and the organising committee, have already discussed plans for a “bigger and better” event next year.
Winners from the 2023 ceremony were:
- The Henry Hawes Award for Best Lead Role in a Musical or Panto: Matt Oxley, for his portrayal of Joe Casey in Our House.
- The Best Supporting Role in a Musical or Panto: Gordon Bird, for his portrayal of Widow Twankey in Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragon.
- The Lew Davies Award for Best Lead Role in a Play: Ashleigh Wells, for his portrayal of ‘Inspector Drake’ in Inspector Drake and the Black Widow.
- The Best Supporting Role in a Play: Lara Savory, for her portrayal of Mrs Ravenscroft in Ravenscroft.
- The Rosemarie Dawes Award for Best Lead Role in a Youth Group Production: Daniel, for his portrayal of ‘Danny’ in Grease.
- Best Supporting Role in a Youth Group Production: Jack, for his portrayal of Doody in Grease.
- The Dorrie May Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design: Cher Billins, Heather Seery (Steward) and Emily Pyke – Grease.
- Best Achievement in Sound Design: Pete Ashton – Grease.
- The Pat Barr Award for Best Achievement in Lighting: Pete Ashton – Grease.
- The Martin Wheeler Award for Best Achievement in Set Design: The team for Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons Team.
- Best Achievement in Choreography: Millie Wilkins – Grease.
- The Joff Hamilton Award for Best Achievement in Musical Direction: Lara Savory – Our House.
- Best Achievement in Direction: Gordon Bird – Grease.
- The Margaret Ann Award for the Best Show of the Season: Grease.
- The Best Moment of the Season Award: ‘The final night of Beauty Queen of Leenane after Covid, damaged roof and cast sickness cancellations’.
- The SPT Spotlight Award: Mark Read for all his contributions to the youth group.
- The SPT Spirit Award: Camilla Fillingham.
