NODA Awards tommorow.

Tomorrow is the NODA awards in sunny Blackpool and I’m looking forward to it greatly. (Not to be confused with the main awards (as far as we are concerned) in Southport in August). All Souls Dramatic Club are up for an award, that being the title of ‘Best Pantomime’ for their production of ‘Cinderella’. I’m really hoping we do well as it’s All Soul’s first nomination and the production staff (and cast) really, really deserve it. I was lucky enough to play Buttons in the production and enjoyed myself immensely. It was nice that we got a good review because I was SOOO sick during the show that I was scared that I might let the others down.

The NODA review was quite good at the time… I’ll copy it below for you.

The music, although mainly modern pop, fitted the show. My only criticism would be that the numbers were a little too long.The staging was adequate and we had some very good performances.Karen Meadows was a very pretty Fairy Godmother. We also had a very pretty Cinders played by Stefanie Verite. The Baron was Peter Roney and the two bailiffs, Bill and Ben were played by Sue Marquiss and Kayleigh Walkden. I particularly enjoyed the two Ugly Sisters played by Rob McGregor and June Weights. Congratulations go to both and to the costume department for some wonderful creations.

The Prince and Dandini both gave spirited performances: well done to Joannne Stafford and Katie Watkinson. John Hardiker gave us an acceptable King but his Queen, who was played by Sue Thomas, was superb. Not to be out-done, the gentlemen had their star in the form of Buttons. This was Cliff Gillies first show with All Souls but something tells me that it will not be his last.

Well done to all the cast and once again, welcome

I will of course update you on Monday on whether we have won and on all (well maybe not ALL) of the goings on from the event.

 

And The Nomination Goes To…

I got a phone call this week from Helen, her having just taken delivery of a letter from the National Operatic Drama Association. It seems we have been nominated in this years NODA awards. The nominations are for our production of Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables’ and we are up for the following:

• Best Supporting Actress (drama) for Andrea Culkin.
• Best Actress (drama) for Helen Haygarth.
• Best Actor (drama) for Cliff Gillies.
• Best Staging.
• Best Play.
• Best Actress (pantomime) For Sue Thomas.

It goes without saying that I am really, really pleased. You know, dear reader, that I had some difficulty getting this show on; particularly in terms of the staging so to be nominated in that category was most pleasing of the lot!

Added to this I have been nominated for ‘Best Mortal in A Pantomime’ for my role of ‘Buttons’ in last years All Souls production of Cinderella.

The awards evening is in the middle of August and I of course will let you know after the event whether we were lucky enough to win any of the categories. In the meantime I am to get prepared for two events..

Coming up quickly (too quickly) is our next production, Peter Gordon’s “Murdered To Death” in opening in June. I want to take a moment to let you know how funny this script really is… If you are a theatre company looking for a script then check this out (Peter’s Website). Whilst the play is really funny it’s taking a while to get together and we seem to be running out of time…. but don’t I always say this sort of thing every show??

The other event is at the end of April and is yet another awards evening. I will be heading to Blackpool along with many of the cast of Cinderella; for it too has received a nomination in the regional NODA awards for Best Pantomime.

It seems I will have to be ‘suited and booted’ a few times in the coming months!