1989 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Full-Length Drama Competition
Adjudicator : J. Barry Roach
[of Mr. Roach, the programme said : “It is largely due to his interest and support that the Drama Competition was revived in 1984 and has now become a major event in the Arts Council’s year.]Competitors : in order of appearance
1
September 12 – 16
Southwick Players
Two and Two make Sex
By Leslie Darbon & RichardHarris
Produced by Paddy Hartley
2
October 11 – 14
Wick Theatre Company
Stepping Out
By Richard Harris
Produced by Frances Moulton
3
October 13 – 14 & 20 – 21
Rottingdean Drama Society
Bedroom Farce
By Alan Ayckbourn
Produced by Frances Acton
4
October 16 – 21
Hurstpierpoint Players
Blithe Spirit
By Noël Coward
Produced by Bob Sampson
5
October 22 – 29
New Venture Theatre
Equus
By Peter Shaffer
Produced by John Wilkinson
6
November 9 – 11
Sackville Players
Tell-Tale Murder
By Philip Weathers
Produced by Tom Blackburn
7
November 11 – 18
Lewes Theatre Club
Stage Struck
By Simon Gray
Produced by Jenny Lloyd Lyons
8
November 16 – 18
Wivelsfield Little Theatre
The Hound of the Baskervilles
By Tim Kelly
Produced by Denys Peek
9
November 23 – 25
Brighton Arts Theatre
On Golden Pond
By Ernest Thompson
Produced by G Thomas Denney
10
November 30 – December 2
Armchair Theatre Group
The Continental Quilt
By Joan Greening
Produced by Rosie Drew
00
Spotlight Theatre Group
Please note that Spotlight Players entered the Competition but for whatever reason did not perform their play – The Exorcism
By Don Taylor – (although they attended the Awards Evening).
1989 : Brighton & Hove Arts Council’s Drama Awards Evening
When : December 18 1989
Where : Hove Norton Road Town Hall Banqueting Room
Best Overall Production
New Venture Theatre
Equus
Runner-up
Lewes Theatre Club
Stage Struck
Best Stage Setting
Wivelsfield Little Theatre
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Adjudicator’s Award
David Morley
Lewes Theatre Club
for best performance as Robert
Special Commendation
Geoffrey Owen
Brighton Arts Theatre
for his moving performance as Norman
Commendation
Richard Pincott
Southwick Players
for a nicely judged comedy performance as George
Commendation
Daphne Thornton
Wick Theatre Company
for an excellent character study as Mrs Fraser
Commendation
Sheila Doughty
Rottingdean Drama Society
for a delightfully sophisticated character performance as Delia
Commendation
Rottingdean Drama Society
for the ingenuity of designing a three-bedroom set for a very small stage
Commendation
Rottingdean Drama Society
for the skill of the director in handling of the slapstick action scene
Commendation
Christine Yardley
Hurstpierpoint Players
for a well-modulated performance as Ruth
Commendation
Hurstpierpoint Players
for the effective and efficient handling of the finale’s ghostly manifestations
Commendation
Nigel Sharpe, Anthony Dale, Mollie Middleton
New Venture Theatre
for splendidly realised performances as Martin, Alan, Dora
Commendation
New Venture Theatre
for the atmospheric lighting and music
Commendation
Lucy Lea
Sackville Players
for a totally convincing character study as Ellen
Commendation
Lewes Theatre Club
for the splendid effects, and in particular, the hanging dummy
Commendation
Nick Betteridge
Lewes Theatre Club
fora well-maintained study in abject terror as Widdecombe
Commendation
Wivelsfield Little Theatre
for the one moment of genuine tension when, in the finale, the Hound was suppose to be behind the secret door
Commendation
James Drake
Brighton Arts Theatre
for a promising debut as Billy
Commendation
Brian Lilley
Brighton Arts Theatre
for a delightful character cameo as Charlie
Commendation
Armchair Theatre
for the well-designed set
Commendation
Stella Carver
Armchair Theatre
for the promise shown as Angela
Commendation
Francis Wood
Armchair Theatre
for the eccentric spinster