Following last years success at the at the CCTA awards, the Hawarden Players are proud to announce they have added another accolade to their quickly expanding trophy cabinet!
On Sunday the 23rd September 2012, the group along side several other am-dram societies from the county, gathered at the Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold, to celebrate some of the achievements made in theatre within the local areas. The Hawarden Players had 2 shows entered for adjudication based on performance in the 2011/12 season; Wild West: The Panto, and Farndale Avenues’s version of Macbeth.
Congratulations need to be first extended to the members who received individual mentions during the production summaries;
- Fiona Burdsall for her role as Dame Winnie Pegg and for writing the Panto script
- Jan Meeker for playing one of the panto triplet baddies, Cal-a-gas-heater
- Sian Parry for her solid directing début, and stepping in at the 11th hour to perform in ‘Macbeth’
- Sheila McCann for her portrayal of Dawn in Farndale Avenue’s Macbeth
The group were very happy to hear a nomination for “Outstanding Individual Performance” was given to Jane Ainscough for her role within ‘Macbeth’ as head of the women’s guild, Mrs Reece, who as in turn was performing as Lady Macduff, and the Doctor brilliantly. This is the second year running Jane has been up for the same award, which says a great deal about the strength of this actress!
Another nomination closely followed in the category of “Best Supporting Performance”, again for a role within the Farndale Avenue production of Macbeth. This one went to an actor making his Hawarden Players debut, Mike Benjamin, who played the role of adjudicator George Peach (or George pear/apricot/grape/pawpaw/bananna/nectarine as Mrs Reece mistakenly identified him….) Another well deserved nomination for an actor who spent nearly the entire production sat on stage, constantly reacting perfectly to the madness unfolding around him.
A third nomination went to Dan Ellis, for “Most Promising Actor” after co-directing with Jane Ainscough, and being on stage in Wild West: The Panto , performing as Mr. Plummer in Macbeth, and a role within a show outside of the Hawarden Players.
We are proud to announce the Hawarden Players won an award in the form of ‘Best Presentation’ with particular emphasis on our choice of costumes, sets, and props within the past 2 shows. This is something we are very flattered to be awarded, and has rewarded the great care the group take in crafting all aspects of a production. Stage manager Steve Burdsall collected the award from the adjudicator to much applause from our table in particular! Steve has headed the backstage team for many years, and this recognition extends to every member of the group, who put in such effort to get a show looking fantastic. The Hawarden Players all put such hard work, time, and money into creating costumes (Denise G, Denise P, Fiona, Karen) building and painting sets and props (Steve, Pete, Gill, Mike, Gilli) working the sound and light boards (Keith & Chris), people who shift scenery, pull the curtains, and generally throw themselves into any task needed during the ‘get-ins’ to make each show stand out (everyone involved in the Hawarden Players).
This season has been a hugely successful one for the group, welcoming in new members, and having produced two fantastically received shows presented to some of our largest audiences to date. We endeavour to continue with our high standards and hope for even more reasons to celebrate in the coming season.
Speaking of which, keep checking www.hawardenplayers.com and our facebook page: www.facebook.com/hawardenplayers for a panto announcement in the very near future!