The Wurzels’ Tommy Banner hands out top awards
It was the Cinderella Trophy Competition’s golden anniversary and it was certainly a golden night as Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society (YAPS) walked away with the top award for the best overall pantomime of the year in what many of the guests agreed was one of the best Cinderella Awards evenings in a long, long time. YAPS production of Treasure Island wowed the judges and audiences alike – an accolade made even more special because they had staged the show at a new venue, Westlands Social Club, and despite that challenge they created a truly wonderful pantomime experience.
The awards ceremony was at a new venue too. Held this year at the beautiful Batch Country House near Weston-Super-Mare, the Golden Anniversary was a spectacular celebration of the very best that Somerset pantomime has to offer. Guests dressed up to the nines with beautiful dresses, smart suits and plenty of glitter being the order of the day. This was a feast of gold and Moderator Nigel Ford, who hosted the evening, was resplendent in his golden jacket in front of Cinderella’s golden carriage which graced the stage. And, in keeping with such a special occasion, there was a special guest to present the top awards. Tommy Banner of the Wurzels was in attendance to hand out the top gongs, which was a splendid way to make a great event just that little bit more special. An audience that was enthusiastic and good-humouredly boisterous right from the start, joined in enthusiastically dancing and singing along to I am a Cider Drinker as Tommy took to the stage to present the top awards.
There were twenty-four entries in this year’s competition and all were represented on the night. As ever, the nominations were kept a closely guarded secret and there were whoops and hollers as each nomination was read out, rising to a crescendo as the winners were announced. The evening started out with a recognition of the splendid contribution of our youngsters. There were fifty-five Promising Young Performer certificates! Grace Pallent from Bradford Players won the award for Best Junior Principal Girl while Amy Reed from Clevedon Comedy Club was awarded Best Junior Principal Boy. Also picking up junior awards were Alfred Bissel (Burnham) for Villain, Hazel Perrett and Barnaby Taylor (Wincanton) for comedy duo, Wayfarers’ Ratlings for Best Junior Group and Nailsea Musicals for Best Junior Chorus. With such talent on show, the future looks very bright for amateur theatre in Somerset.
After an enjoyable sit-down meal, served quickly and efficiently by the wonderful Batch House staff, the evening progressed with a celebration of the very best of the adults, and boy was there some brilliance to celebrate. Overall winners, and taking home the Cinderella Trophy, were YAPS, who won a total of five awards including Dame of the Year for Rich Walters for his portrayal as Mrs Hawkins, an award clearly appreciated as Rich raised his fist in the air shouting a resounding “Yes” as he left the stage! And YAPS’ Chloe Anderson won the Bradford Trophy for the best overall junior performance of the year.
Runners up Burnham and District Pantomime Society won even more individual awards with a total of six gongs including Best Theatre Musicians (a solo effort by Xavier Underwood) and Best Original Script.
But eclipsing everyone else in terms of number of trophies won, Taunton’s Wayfarers went home with an amazing eight top awards including Theatre Design, Stage management, Dance and Choreography and Best Principal Girl and Boy won by Hetty Preece and Amy Chapman respectively.
Topping the villages, and winning the Spotlight Shield, was Somerton Dramatic Society for their production of Robinson Crusoe and the Pirate Treasure. Their total haul of seven wins included Matthew Maisey who won Villain of the Year for his portrayal of Blackbeard, which also won the prestigious Eddie Bowker Trophy for best overall performance of the year in any role.
Spotlight Shield runners-up were CUDOS for their staging of The Three Musketeers.
Awards on the night were presented by the adjudicating team and the SFD Chair, Dendy Harris, with the top accolades presented by Wurzel Tommy Banner. The event was organised by competition coordinator Pam Price together with Nigel Ford. Photos were taken by Roger Price.
In her opening remarks Pam Price thanked the Batch, saying that their kind and caring attitude made them a joy to work with. She also thanked her husband, Roger, for his unstinting support and she was fulsome in her praise of moderator Nigel Ford, whose personal contribution went a long way to making this an extra special awards night. Nigel organised a free raffle with prizes aplenty including a £50 cheque that was won by CARDS and a whoopee cushion, the winner of which has still to be identified! Nigel’s challenge is for them to include it in next year’s panto!
As well as thanking Pam and Roger for their amazing hard work, Nigel, who was the perfect host all evening, conducting proceedings with aplomb, thanked his adjudicating panel: Sam Allen, Lee Baker, Jane Burt, Ray Jarvis and John Robinson
Chair Dendy Harris said, “It’s been an amazing celebration of fifty years, showcasing what’s great about pantomime in Somerset. I want to say thank you to all of you, the panto societies, for keeping pantomime alive in Somerset."
Such a great celebration after the hard Panto season Thank you everyone at SFOD and congratulations to all the winners!
Nailsea Musicals