Following what has been a tumultuous time for the SFD and its members, we were extremely proud to present our annual Phoebe Rees Awards at the Shrubbery in Ilminster on the 20th October. A very well-attended evening of glitz and glam to acknowledge and celebrate the time, talent, and creative input of individuals and theatrical groups across Somerset, hosted by the competition Moderator, Robert Graydon. At the time of booking, we anticipated this to be the last event of its kind but were granted a reprieve with the announcement that the Somerset Fellowship of Drama is under new the leadership of Dendy Harris, who we were delighted to welcome to the event and who also said a few words of encouragement. Dendy's passion for the arts and for our theatrical community warmed the room and provided a positive outlook for this particular award as well as the SFD as a whole. Robert provided an engaging welcome, reminding us all that though there was much to be celebrated in every performance entered into the awards this year, a competition this still was, and there would undoubtedly be disappointment for some. Though not to let this detract from the contribution to the arts and that nominations were recognitions for these contributions and there could be no like-for-like comparisons made across the genres, budgets, and talent - Ultimately, this competition is awarded based on creativity, contribution, and dedication as much as anything else. Introduced to the community were three new adjudicators, Niamh McGrogan, Lynn Pearson, and Helen Tompson, recognising their expertise is varied and divided amongst formal training and years of experience in performing and directing, but above all a passion for community-driven performance. Supported by a long-serving member of the SFD, Andy Busby, as their co-ordinator who tirelessly attended all the performances to ensure a fair process. Robert thoughtfully asked for a moment to consider those who were recently departed, of which sadly, there were a few, but that their contribution to amateur drama and their communities was remembered and, in some cases, recognised by nominations on this evening. Though sobering, this tribute was a prudent reminder of how every contribution, no matter how small, has a large impact on this wider family of passionate creatives.
And so to the awards themselves, there were some extremely strong performances that took a broad scope of awards including the Champagne moment, dedicated to an individual or a team for outstanding effort, creativity, or technical execution. This year awarded to Andrew Meadows for not only standing in at the very last minute but delivering an engaging performance. Andrew was awarded this for his clear dedication to not letting down his fellow performers. And the overall winders of the Best Production went to @2K for their Absent Friends. There were of course, many disappointments from across the groups in attendance, and it is here that reflecting on what makes a performance stand out against another not only includes a degree of subjectivity but also the many factors that Robert and his team took into account when they met to discuss the nominations. Foremost, contribution, presentation, creativity, and audience impact. As an example, where one performance may have had a fantastic array of costumes, another may have been more creative in its design and execution. And if nothing else, we should be inspired by the success of others to broaden our knowledge, the Phoebe Rees Awards could only advise that as a community, supporting and attending other performances would be the only way that this could be achieved, and provide for a more universal outcome to such an award; to learn and grow together, not just within our community but our experiences too.
We were sad to confirm that, as the season for the Phoebe Rees Awards would have traditionally started in October, and with the staggered announcements of the future of the SFD on the whole, this award will be taking a break for this coming year, returning in late 2024. There is an opportunity for our adjudicators to still attend performances and provide formal feedback, however, there are no formal awards following this, and this would be a development opportunity only to keep the momentum going within our community and provide development opportunities to all who seek it. Do reach out to Robert or Andy to enquire for more information. We thank you again for your contribution to the arts landscape here in Somerset, the Phoebe Rees Awards, and the Somerset Fellowship of Drama. We look forward to seeing what you all achieve in 2024 and welcoming you back for the next season.
Helen Tompson
Herewith a list of this years winners:-
Best Production -@2K Theatre - Absent Friends
Best non-Theatre Production (Gordon Neagle Cup) - West Huntspill Players - Allo Allo
Adjudicators Award (Champagne Moment) - Civic Players - Lend Me A Tenor -
Andrew Meadows (Awarded to Andrew for taking over the lead role at very short notice)
Best Director - Civic Players Lend Me A Tenor - Andrew Meadows
Best Creative Set Design - @2K Theatre - Absent Friends
Best Set Construction - Wells Operatic Society - And Then There Were None
Best Creative Lighting - Swan Theatre - The Hollow
Best Stage Management - Civic Players - Dracula
Best Effects - Wells Operatic Society - And Then There Were None
Best Costumes - Taunton Thespians - Much - Ado About Nothing
Best Props - West Huntspill Players - Allo Allo
Best Male Actor - Civic Players - Lend Me A Tenor - Jay Westaway as Bellhop
Best Female Actor - Swan Theatre - Let It Be Me - Vivienne Evans as Sylvia
Best Supporting Male Actor - West Huntspill Players - Allo Allo - Dan Webber as Herr Flick
Best Supporting Female Actor - Swan Theatre - Let It Be Me - Rachel Butcher as Kate
Best Cameo - Timsbury - Laying the Ghost - George Clark as Superman
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