Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society had a triumphant evening at the Nidderdale and District 61st Festival of One Act Plays. Their production of A Game by Dennis E Noble won 7 Awards including the coveted Best Play Award.
Jenny MacNair, Carol Bailey, Hugh Cawley, director Tom Barber, and Michael Thorne receive the trophy for the winning play.
The play was a psychological drama which started as a farce but ends in deadly earnest. The sell-out audience also voted for the play to receive the prize for the best production.
The drama was the directorial debut of Tom Barber with his powerful production with disturbing themes of territory and hate that held the audience spellbound. Starting with farcical and comedic overtones it ended in brutal and chilling tragedy that was realised by the talented cast and their director. Needless to say, the cup for the best director was awarded to Tom Barber.
Tom Barber receives the Cup for Best Director from Ian Clarke (President and Treasurer of Nidderdale and District Drama Association)
As well as the best play and director awards, the adjudicator, Sue Doherty from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, also awarded Hugh Cawley the cup for Best Actor and Carol Bailey the cup for Best Actress.
Hugh Cawley and Carol Bailey receive their Best Acting Awards
As well as best Actor and Actress Awards the whole cast were recognised for their ensemble acting by being given the Phil Hickson Memorial Cup.
Jenny MacNair accepts the Phil Hickson Memorial Trophy for excellent ensemble acting
Finally, the play was awarded the trophy for the play going forward to next round of the All-England Drama Festival and will appear at the AETF Northern Semi-Final to be held in the Saltburn Community Theatre, Saltburn-by-the-Sea on the 5th and 6th of May, 2024.
Congratulations to all those involved in the production with Sue Hickson on Sound, Steve Hunt on Lighting, Justin Enthoven and Alan Stewart as Stage Managers, Ruth Dodsworth with Costume, Debbie Forsyth as Prompter, Kevin Murgatroyd and Mike Nelson with set construction. The adjudicator also made special mention of the splendid bespoke door which was designed and constructed by Steve Colbourne.
The Set
A Review of the play can be seen by clicking here.
Tom Barber with Trophy display in the Playhouse