FROME Musical Theatre Company is celebrating after collecting its best ever haul of awards in the Somerset Fellowship of Drama’s David Beach awards for musicals – including the ‘Best Production’ trophy for Hairspray.
It’s the first time the company has picked up the top accolade in the prestigious awards, which were presented at a glittering celebration evening in Taunton on Saturday.
Hairspray, which was performed last year at the Memorial Theatre, also took the ‘Best Chorus’ title, while Nicole Woodridge, who played Tracy Turnblad, won ‘Best Female in a Lead Role.’
Saturday was a night of double celebration for FMTC as its members were staging their own star awards ceremony at the Standerwick Centre. News of the David Beach Somerset awards were being sent by text as they happened.
FMTC spokesperson Sarah Plenty said, “We are so delighted to have done so well at the awards – it really is the cherry on the cake for ‘Hairspray.’ It’s the first time FMTC has won ‘Best Production,’ and this is the most awards we have won in a single David Beach competition.
“The show was like nothing we’d ever done before and there was such a buzz about it. It was a complete sell-out and we had a fantastic director, and great choreography and music; everyone had such an amazing time on the show so we’re really chuffed to have won an award for it.
“The competition covers the whole of Somerset – we were up against some tough competition so these awards are something for everyone to be proud of. We have a lot of talent at the company and we’re proud of everyone.”
The David Beach Competition for Musicals, run by the Somerset Fellowship of Drama, has been awarded since 2002.
‘Frome Oscars’
FMTC’s own Star Awards, also held on Saturday 5th March, saw the company handing out its annual awards to the year’s best performers.
Sarah continued, “We had the Star Awards – Frome’s mini-Oscars – at the Standerwick Suite again and it was a lovely evening; congratulations to all the award winners and nominees.”
The Star Awards 2015 winners are
Best Female Singing Performance, sponsored by The Coventry – Lou Knight, ‘Hairspray’.
Best Male Singing Voice, sponsored by Frome Times – Ryan Hughes, ‘Hairspray’.
Best Supporting Actress, sponsored by Penleigh Farm – Tabi Cox, ‘Hairspray’.
Best Supporting Actor, sponsored by McCallisters – Norm Langley, ‘Hairspray’.
Best Dancing Performance, sponsored by Danceworks – Garry Hill, ‘Hairspray’/’Sleeping Beauty’.
Unsung Hero, sponsored by Salisbury Printing – Sarah Plenty for press and media.
Best Comic Performance, sponsored by Me Time – Simon Joyce, ‘Sleeping Beauty’.
Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by NVB architects – Will Plenty for ‘Hairspray’ lighting design.
Best Young Female Performer, sponsored by Frome Heating Specialists – Chloe Tawse, ‘Peter Pan’.
Best Young Male Performer, sponsored by H&B Tyres – Fin Collinson, ‘Peter Pan’.
Best Actress, sponsored by Moore Scarrott Financial Planning – Nicole Wooldridge, ‘Hairspray’.
Best Actor, sponsored by Frome Memorial Theatre Trust – Jon O’Loughlin – ‘Hairspray’/’Sleeping Beauty’.
Members’ Award of Appreciation, sponsored by White Row Farm – Sandra Elmer
Best Overall Performance, sponsored by Orchardleigh Estates – Nicole Wooldridge, ‘Hairspray’.
A NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) 25-year service medal was presented to Sue Crockerby FMTC President Bob Stannard.
FMTC is now busy rehearsing for its next production ‘Sister Act’, in which a disco diva finds herself in protective custody in a nuns’ convent after witnessing a murder. The show, based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, will run from 10th-14th May.
