Sell-out show scoops best musical award
A sell-out show by Newark Amateur Operatic Society has won an award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association for best musical.
The award was for the society’s production Avenue Q, staged at the Robin Hood Theatre, Averham, in the autumn.
The show’s director, Justin Day, received the award from the national president, Mr Nick Lawrence, at a ceremony in Loughborough.
Justin said he was particularly delighted with the award as it was the first time he had directed a show for the society.
"I am thrilled that we have won this award for what has proved to be one of the most popular shows we have done recently," he said.
"All the comments we received from the audience were amazing, some saying it was better than the West End version they had seen."
Justin said the show involved a lot of hard work for him — as well as being the director he designed the set and had a cameo part.
"I would like to thank everyone who took part — not only those on stage but also those back stage and front of house and at the Robin Hood Theatre, without whom this award would not have been possible," he said.
The society is the first in the UK to have been given the rights to perform a version of Ghost The Musical developed for smaller theatre groups.
It will be staged at the Robin Hood Theatre from October 9 to 13 with a matinee performance on the Saturday.
The Saturday night is a sell-out, and in total more than 40% of the tickets have sold.
The show will be directed by Mike Follen. The set and creative design will be by Justin Day. The choreography will be by Dean Matthew Skiba.
The chairman of the society, Mrs Rita Crowe, said they were delighted to be the first to be allowed to perform this version of such an iconic show.
"The success of all our shows is down, in part, to the hard work of everyone within the society, not only those who appear on stage but also those who help in many other ways," she said.
"However, we would not be able to continue without the invaluable support of the audiences, many of whom have supported us for many years."
The cast includes several main performers from the recent production of Cats — William Dewick, who will play Sam, Natasha Logan as Molly, and Dan Spendlow as Carl.
Other cast members include Andrea Chapman as Oda Mae Brown, Justin Day as the Subway Ghost, John Dodd as the Hospital Ghost, Hollie Bird and Alex Thornton as Oda Mae’s assistants and Christina Riley as Mrs Santiago.
