2003 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Full-Length Drama Competition
Adjudicator : John Moulder Brown
Competitors : in order of appearance
1
October 7 – 11
Hurstpierpoint Players
My Mother Said I Never Should
By Charlotte Keatley
Produced by Richard Winton
2
October 15 – 18
Southwick Players
Bouncers
By John Godber
Produced by Kate Stoner
3
October 22 – 25
Rottingdean Drama Society
A Small Family Business
By Alan Ayckbourn
Produced by Ane Verrall
4
October 29 – November 01
Cuckfield Dramatic Society
Death Trap
By Ira Leven
Produced by Alan Morris
5
November 15 – 22
New Venture Theatre Company
Fool For Love
By Sam Shephard
Produced by Jerry Lyne
6
November 18 – 22
Forest Row Dramatic Society
The Birthday Party
By Harold Pinter
Produced by Tony Pritchitt
2003 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Drama Awards Evening
When : December 8 2003
Where : Hove Dudley Hotel Lansdowne Place
Bea Waters Challenge Cup for Best Overall Production
Southwick Players
Bouncers
for the total theatrical experience, complete and compelling, skilfully executed by every department within the company, the audience was taken on a roller coaster of drmatic delights with one thrill following the other, at no time compromisng the integral social comment of the piece
The Arthur Churchill Award For Excellence – runner-up
Forest Row Society
The Birthday Party
for capturing the mood and atmosphere of Pinter with dexterity and skill, directing with subtlety and nuance, thereby raising the complexity of the characters and of the difficult play
Gabbus Denney Director’s Award
Kate Stoner
Bouncers
for a skilled and inventive staging of vibrant production creating the world of the play, using to great effect all of the dramatic tools, choreography, ligting, costume, set, sound brought together by the actors for her interpretation
Award for Best Stage Setting
Rottingdean Drama Society
for a beautiful crafted and designed set, combining utility with décor thereby setting the tenor of grace and charm exhibited in their production
Adjudicator’s Award
New Venture Theatre Company
for the theatrical experience of immersing the audience in a compelling drama, creating with dramatic skill the desolate, emotional, physical, spiritual landscape of the play
The Chairman’s Award
Sylvia Jackson and company
Forest Row Dramatic Society
for the meticulously positioned and selected props
Merit Award for the Best Ensemble Work
Hurstpierpoint Players
for realising the epic journey of the play, transporting the audience through times, places and indeed generations
Merit Award for the Best Lighting
Pat Boxall
New Venture Theatre
for gently and adeptly corresponding to the mood, atmosphere and effect of the piece
Merit Award for the Front of House Staff
Southwick Players
for creating a totl experience for the audience and who set the scene, changed the atmosphere for the actors
Merit Award for the Most Promising Young Actor
Gary Wright
Forest Row Dramatic Society
for capturing the essence of Pinter – in all its complexity of truth and irony in the characterisation of Stanley Webber
Merit Award for Best Actor
Serena Brand
New Venture Theatre Company
for realising the strength and pathos, with a wonderful physicality and truth together with the vulnerability of the character May