We are delighted to announce the inaugural IW Amateur Theatre Awards, hosted by IW Theatre, for the year September 2022 – August 2023. Our judges have enjoyed attending a wide range of amateur plays, musicals and pantomimes and after careful discussion have selected what, in their opinion, represents the very best that the Island amateur theatre community can offer.

Awards have also been given for best lead and supporting actors, and judges have also been passionate about supporting youth productions – our leading actors of the future. During this first year they were not able to see every youth show and cannot therefore be definite about the best; therefore commendations have been given to youth shows and young actors who stood out among the productions seen.

We would like to congratulate those receiving awards and commendations for their achievements but also to compliment all the casts, crews, background supporters and all involved with the productions judged this year. IW Theatre wish you every success in the future, and remember, please email us at contact@iwtheatre.org with any feedback or constructive ideas as we start to look at the judging process for 2024.

Best Play (Drama)

“This funny & poignant comedy hangs on the character of Lydia and Hanna proved herself more than capable. However, without strong actors in supporting roles, the play could have been a damp squid. Instead, all 9 of the cast provided excellent foils to Lydia’s emotional farewell performance. The director has managed to produce a flawless production which the audience much appreciated”.

Best Musical

“This show had good pace, excellent leads & consistently good ensemble performances”
“Transitions between scenes were seamless, singing and sound well balanced”
“Good direction including some stand-out theatrical moments towards the end of the show”

Best Pantomime

“Right from the start, we were given energy, pace, colourful costumes and a plot which bowled along beautifully”
“The director did a very good job, carefully controlling the length of the panto as well as the mix of songs, dancing and script. Performances were confident, clear and characterful!”

Best Actor – Drama

The nominations for Best Actor in a Drama, are:

Patrick Barry – The Comedy of Errors, Ad Lib Theatre Company

“Patrick kept the pace up from the start, and commanded the stage with excellent touches of comedy, considerable energy and consistent believable interaction with the other characters. He spoke with clarity, good projection and plenty of physical performance including a memorable fight scene”

Fiona Gwinnett – Handbagged, The Apollo Players

“A thoroughly convincing performance with near perfect characterisation of Queen Elizabeth. Her expressions and mimicry were captivating, particularly during the moments when the production allowed her to ‘break that 4^th wall’ and interact directly with the appreciative audience”

Hanna Nixon – The Actress, Bembridge Little Theatre Club

“Hanna gave an outstanding performance as Lydia and dominated the stage; her interpretation of the character’s complex mix of emotions as she faces her final curtain call was just as the author intended and yet Hanna still managed to balance both the comedy and tragedy of her role perfectly”

Emily Scotcher – Hamlet, Ad Lib Theatre Company

“To give the part of Hamlet to a woman was brave and challenging. Emily’s performance was exceptional, both emotionally and physically, playing the role without gender but in a totally believable way, successfully portraying Shakespeare’s complex character with clarity and commitment”

WINNER – BEST ACTOR in a DRAMA

Best Supporting Actor – Drama

The nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a drama, are:

Michael Arnell – When We Are Married, The Apollo Players

“Michael took this character and delivered a flawless portrayal – humour, projection, expression, accent all lifted the role to another level. He used the stage well and his character’s gradual alcoholic decline was so believable that we almost felt sorry for Ormonroyd as we realised how his life might have been!”

Chris Hicks – Private Peaceful, The Apollo Players

“Creating three believable but totally different characters for us to meet during this play, Chris played each role with clarity and precision, with good delineation and interaction with the rest of the cast”

Olivia Pike – The Actress, Bembridge Little Theatre Club

“Olivia’s innate timing and facial expressions brought the character of Margaret so much sympathy from the audience and her extensive comedy skills enabled her to maximise the character’s obvious stress in a hilarious performance”

Helen Reading – Private Peaceful, The Apollo Players

“Helen delivered a quiet but powerful character which provided a physical and emotional bond for the mainly younger cast. She continually engaged audience sympathy, particularly for her care of her son Big Joe”

WINNER – BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in a DRAMA

Best Actor – Musical

The nominations for Best Actor in a musical, are:

Kim Ball – Calendar Girls

“Kim played Annie with charm, sensitivity & authenticity. Not an easy character to play, Kim managed the emotionally demanding role in an understated but excellent portrayal with excellent diction throughout”

Rob Bingham – The Pirates of Penzance, GASP

“His singing voice was in a class of its own with power and tone in equal measure. He knew how to make full use of the small stage and his facial expressions demonstrated good characterisation”

Holly Gardiner – Guys & Dolls, The Island Savoyards

“A wonderfully considered portrayal, Holly delivered some fantastic singing, clear projection, great facial expressions and an obvious total understanding of her character”

Rosie Sales – The Sound of Music, The Island Savoyards

“Her vocals were fabulous, her believable character which moved with ease between tenderness for the children yet feisty when standing up to the adult characters was excellent and she controlled her role with precision and grace”

WINNER – BEST ACTOR in a MUSICAL

Best Supporting Actor – Musical

The nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a musical, are:

Andy Ball – Calendar Girls

“Andy struck an excellent balance between comedy and comfort as Rod, the husband to Olivia’s Chris. He delivered a believable performance with good expressive acting across the whole of his performance”

Bryony Bishop – The Pirates of Penzance, GASP

“The audience was drawn to her immediately as she exuded confidence, sang beautifully and was an exceptionally warm and energetic presence on stage. Whether centre stage or back within the chorus, she continued to interact well with the rest of the cast”

Maurice Kachuk – The Sound of Music, The Island Savoyards

“Maurice delivered one of the most accomplished characters of the show. His confidence oozed stage presence and his role delivered both comic timing and good interaction with the rest of the cast. His delivery of The Lonely Goatherd was a high point of the production!”

Harley Mackness – Guys & Dolls, The Island Savoyards

With superb characterisation and a believable confident performance, Harley worked well with the rest of the cast, bringing light and humour to her role. Her American accent held well and delivered clear good projection throughout”

WINNER – BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in a MUSICAL

Best Actor – Pantomime

The nominations for Best Actor in a pantomime, are:

Michael Mullin – Aladdin, The Wight Strollers

“Michael made an excellent villain, confidently and convincingly portrayed, with flawless vocal projection as well as well planned adlibs and ‘throw-away’ retorts with the audience. He delivered excellent pace and what appeared to be a seamless performance”

Peri Ryan – Happily Ever After, The New Strolling Players

“Peri showed us what the art of coarse acting truly is. Her laugh was truly maniacal, her facial expressions perfect and the audience soon took her to their hearts as the wicked fairy character she delivered. A great character performed well”

Ian Townsend – Mother Goose, Amy White Theatre

“Confident and believable in the ‘Dame’ role, Ian built up a good rapport with the audience and delivered his lines well. He interacted well with the rest of the cast and provided an amusing performance”

John Woodford – Aladdin, The Wight Strollers

“John’s many years’ experience as a pantomime dame, shone through in his role as Widow Twanky. He achieved instant rapport with the large audience and delivered excellent pace and a sparkling performance”

WINNER – BEST ACTOR in a PANTOMIME

Best Supporting Actor – Pantomime

The nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a pantomime, are:

Ches Checkley – Aladdin, The Wight Strollers

“An exemplary performance which added some unusual character to the more traditional elements of this role. He used the stage well; his projection was perfect and he interacted well with the audience”

Charlie Merrick – Mother Goose, Amy White Theatre

“Charlie delivered an excellent characterisation, with good facial expressions and a sense of comic timing right through the show. He interacted well with the rest of the cast and made his role easy to watch”

Lewis Pavey – Happily Ever After, The New Strolling Players

“Pantos often give a good opportunity for actors to take roles they might not expect to, in more serious theatre… and Lewis Pavey appeared to have grasped that opportunity with both hands. His comic sense of timing and his larger-than-life character lifted the show each time he appeared”

Nick Robinson – Happily Ever After, The New Strolling Players

“Nick’s facial expressions acted as a true comedic foil to Deadly Nightshade and with excellent make-up, the character he developed without using the rest of his body was very clever”

WINNER – BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in a PANTOMIME

Celebratory

Beauty and the Beast – First Act

A wonderful achievement for this community theatre – the performers show confidence; the main characters can project and have a sense of character and stage movement is purposeful. All actors are suited to their role and each takes part according to their own ability level. A good team has been built up with great tutor support.

Youth Categories

IW Theatre continue to support and celebrate our young Island talent (#YoungIslandTalent). The judges share this passion about youth performances, and it was noted that at this level participation is key. Getting children and young people involved is vital and hopefully leads to a life on stage – be it professional or amateur. Research continues to show how important performing is to a young person’s development; their confidence, their communication ability, their creativity, their physicality (gross and fine motor skills), their mental well-being and, let’s face it, it’s fun too! An amazing sense of belonging can be generated by participating in a group activity such as acting or singing.

That being said however, it is good to celebrate performers (both individuals and ensembles), productions and technical achievements. What follows is our list of recommendations for moments and people that shone during our judging. Our message is clear, keep going. Keep acting, dancing, singing, manning the sound or lighting desk, helping out backstage, dipping your toe into choreography or even, the big one, directing.

To all of the young people and their grown ups whose productions we saw: thank you. We look forward to being welcomed again come January.

In alphabetical order by surname…

Simon Apsey as Valjean

A slightly built 17 year old boy managed to convince us he was Jean Valjean, from his early experiences up to his death scene. Ageing was helped by the wig and make up but his physicality, expressive acting and his rich tenor voice all made his portrayal captivating. Challenging songs were delivered with an emotional range rarely seen in far more mature actors. In particular, his rendition of ‘Bring Him Home’ had me in tears.

Georgina Field as Doralee

Had incredible stage presence. Georgina created and maintained her character and accent throughout. Her songs were delivered well and her acting held the audience well. Capable of some great humour too.

Isaac F. as Ebenezer Scrooge

It is clear to see Isaac is a talented actor – his performance shone through on the stage.

Betsy Franklin as Ben Gunn

The characterisation was very good. Stood out from the whole cast. Betsy created a complete and believable Gunn. Her projection was crystal clear with purposeful intonation and pace. She had thought clearly about what she wanted the character to be.

Katy Haggerty as Violet

Katy was one of the three main characters. She was confident and yet was able to create a good character that was warm and maternal but fierce when needed. Together with the other two, was superb.

Alfie Luke as Fat Sam

Strong characterisation; body language fitted the character; great comedic timing and clear diction. Consistent accent.

Frankie Mackness-Foster as Lana

Hilarious! Captivating all the time she was on stage. Strong, clear vocals – a true diva!

Enid Rees as Eponine

Enid’s beautiful voice complimented her skilled acting: her portrayal of Eponine captured every nuance, from her hopeless love for Marius, to her willingness to support the rebel cause for his sake, and her death scene moved me to tears. A real depth to this performance worthy of a much more experienced actress

Ria Seager as Zak

A complex character posing a challenge to any actor, let alone a 16 year old. A lot of thought has gone into the character: from the start of the play the audience’s interest and empathy are engaged. Ria speaks clearly and with emotion; pace is varied and appropriate to the action. Some scenes are heart-rending and had many audience members in tears.

Ember Sunnucks as Miss Trunchbull

Ember’s performance really stood out on stage – Ember embraced the comic, sinister, bullying and ultimately cowardly character of Miss Trunchbull. I’m not surprised the children were afraid of her – so was I! A real star of the future.

Ellie Warne as Judy

At times, faultless. Ellie has clear stage presence and is the definition of a triple threat. She is confident, can hold a character and had the audience captivated… This was one of the best youth performances that I have seen for a while.

Technical Commendation