Awards were presented on the last performance of Spellbound’s Guys and Dolls on Saturday evening, 7th August.
Katy Jo Close, who played the principal role of Adelaide, won The Charles Hart Trophy and was presented with the award by Charles Hart’s granddaughter Jane Rose.
Katy Jo is a newcomer to FAOS and so this principal role was her first with Spellbound. Her performance was outstanding and very well received by the audience. We hope that she will remain with FAOS for many years to come.
Sarah Connew was awarded The Ian Waller Extra Mile Award for her invaluable support, in particular during the auditions and the Easter workshop, as well as her sterling efforts promoting the show. She was always on-hand with a smile and encouragement where needed and proved to be a very reliable member of the team. She was presented with the award by Ian Waller’s daughter, Louise Waller.
The Charles
Hart Trophy:
Philip Hart instigated the Charles Hart Trophy in 1997, in memory of his father, Charles Hart, to encourage and reward the enthusiasm and hard work of young Spellbound performers. The cup is awarded annually to the Spellbound cast member who the judges consider to have worked steadily throughout the workshop week, culminating in a good strong performance on stage. Criteria include aspects of behaviour, cooperation and progress, as well as talent. If the last 13 years are anything to go by, the judges have an undeniably difficult task in reaching a decision. It involves attending the workshop week as well as the show itself before making their decision. The production team and cast wish to thank this year’s judges who are Shirley Copley, Reg Evans and Barry Mole and of course Jane Rose, Philip’s daughter, for presenting the cup at the end of the final performance.
The Ian Waller
‘Extra Mile’ Award:
This is the second time the ‘Extra Mile’ award will be presented to a deserving Spellbound member, in memory of Ian Waller, who in recent years has enjoyed working with the Spellbound team as their photographer. In his quiet and unassuming way, Ian was always willing to go ‘the extra mile’ to achieve good results and offer something more than the basic expectation. In his shorter than average life, Ian exceeded his own expectations in many respects so this award is to encourage others to do the same and ‘go the extra mile’ in whatever way they can. The winner of this award, whether on stage or off, will have contributed to the production in some way above and beyond what is expected. Judging will involve the director and manager, in consultation with other members of the production team, Ian’s daughter Louise (a Spellbound performer herself for eleven years and now a backstage helper), and his widow Lyn Waller. So every aspect of preparing and staging a musical will be eligible for this award.
