1997 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Full-Length Drama Competition
Adjudicator : Judy Buchanan
Competitors : in order of appearance
1
September 8 – 13
Southwick Players – Act Too
Bugsy Malone
By Alan Parker
Produced by Des Young & David Stenning
2
New Venture Theatre
After the Fall
by Arthur Miller
Produced by Marin Nichols
3
October 8 – 11
Wick Theatre Company
A Doll’s House
By Henrik Ibsen
Produced by Margaret Ockenden
4
October 9 – 11
Hassocks Theatre Guild
Holiday Snap
by John Chaman & Michael Pertwee
Produced by Linda McCarthy
5
October 24 – 25 & October 30 – November 1
Rottingdean Drama Society
The Deep Blue Sea
by Terence Rattigan
Produced by Linda McCarthy
6
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
[Cuckfield’s entry changed – with agreement from the other groups – to two plays] 1. After Magritteby Tom Stoppard
Produced by Adrian Bowd
2. The Real Inspector Hound
by Tom Stoppard
Produced by Colin Temblett-Wood
7
November 20 – 22
Sackville Players
Look Who’s Talking
by Derek Benfield
Produced by Lucy Lea
8
November 21 – 22 & 26 – 29
Breakthrough Theatre Company
By the Short and Curlies
By Ronnie Mayes
Produced by Jacqueline Haskell
1997 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Drama Awards Evening
When : December 15 1997
Where : Hove Norton Road Town Hall Banqueting Room
Bea Waters Challenge Cup for Best Overall Production
New Venture Theatre
After the Fall
the playwright woud have been proud to have been in the audience
The Arthur Churchill Award For Excellence – runners-up
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
The Real Inspector Hound
for a wonderful entertaining evening – just what the playwright intended
Gabbus Denney Director’s Award
Colin Temblett Wood
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
The Real Inspector Hound
Best Stage Setting
Breakthrough Theatre Company
By the Short and Curlies
for its selection of colours, use of the restricted area, setting out the props making it very workable on such a tight space
Adjudicator’s Certificate
Joanna Lester-George for Maggie
After the Fall
New Venture Theatre
for a very accomplished portrayal of a very difficult role, sympathetically handled
Merit Certificate
Southwick Players – Act Too
Bugsy Malone
for their sheer energy, enthusiasm and fun
Merit Certificate
Barbie Buck
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
The Real Inspector Hound
for a wonderful supporting performance as Mrs Drudge
Merit Certificate
Peta Taylor
New Venture Theatre
Mother
for a most compelling performance, keeping the chracterisation all the way through the play
New Venture Theatre
After the Fall
Merit Certificate
Stephen Leppard
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
for playing both Ronald Harris in After Magritte and also Inspector Hound in The real Inspector Hound, for his versatility, eye for detail, excellent movement and clever ‘business’
Merit Certificate
Rottingdean Drama Society
for their period style, using sound, excellent choice of props and costumes and great attention to detail
The 1997 Chairman’s Award
A new award has been presented called the Chairman’s Certificate and will be chosen by the Chairman of the Brighton & Hove Arts Council. This award will be directed towards the Backroom Staff
Southwick Players – Act Too
Bugsy Malone
To the whole back-stage crew for their ingenious use of ‘splurge guns’ the special effects and excellent timing an a realistic car. Also the mopping-up as part of the performanc and their efficiency under severly cramped conditions