This recent pandemic period has been an extraordinary time for theatre groups. Many shows were indefinitely cancelled at various stages of preparation or even during runs. However when the window kind-of opened for us to put on ‘Kipps – The New Half a Sixpence Musical’ we decided to press on with the attitude ‘we carry on, until we can’t’.

With constant changes to guidance, isolation and infection control during rehearsals the cast and crew ‘just kept going’. When show week arrived a number of cast member were forced into isolation at various times and we almost thought that the show would have to be cancelled through lack of performers.

However the cast and crew rose magnificently to the challenge, an the entire run was performed, with more or less a different cast every night! Cast members filled-in, improvised, and guided each other through unfamiliar ‘tracks’. Whilst the production team rejigged routines and lines on the fly.

For this reason, when asked to nominate a winner of The Tommy Thomas Award for outstanding musical contribution to the show, MD Ana Sanderson decide that the whole cast should be the worthy recipient.

Likewise, The Ray Braybrooke Award, which is voted for by the cast to recognise an important contribution to the show, was given to the whole production team of director Cat Nicol, MD Ana Sanderson, choreographer Kirsty Smith and conductor Andrew Taylor.

The Tom Farrell Award. Voted for by the committee and any member of the society is eligible, given to someone whose positivity, spirit and good nature has contributed to the society during the year. The 2021 recipient is Catriona Clarke.  For maintaining the social ties within the society during the pandemic period with her tireless work promoting social events for the whole society.

Past Winners

Tommy Thomas Award – Awarded by the MD of the main show to a member of the cast

2021 (Kipps)	The whole cast
2020 (Merrily We Roll Along)	Ash Smith
2019 (Evita)	Matt Hall
2018 (Cats)	Jen Webster

Ray Braybrooke Award – Voted on by the cast of the main show to recognise a member of the show’s company, crew or production team

2021 (Kipps)	Cat Nicol, Ana Sanderson, Kirsty Smith, Andrew Taylor
2019 (Evita)	Liz Milway
2018 (Cats)	Andrea Birdwood
2017 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)	Alison Buckingham
2016 (Legally Blonde)	Matt Hawksworth
2015 (Secret Garden)	Phoebe Poulter-Kerry-Sinclair, Grace Ellis, Arun Austin & Bill Stanley
2014 (Godspell)	James Dowson
2013 (Parade)	Jenny Hinchliffe & Mark McCormack
2012 (Hot Mikado)	Suzanne Emerson
2011 (The Producers)	Liz Milway & Alastair Horne

Tom Farrell Award – Awarded by the committee to a society member whose positivity, spirit and good nature has contributed to the society during the year.

2021	Catriona Clarke
2020	David Mallabone
2019	Laurie-Lee McDowell
2018	Mike Webster
2017	Caleb Plant
2016	Davinia Fisher
2015	Dan Lane
2014	Michael Husband
2013	Joe Griffiths