Footlights Tameside had cause to celebrate on Saturday 3 October after receiving nine nominations and taking home two awards at the Northern Stage Awards in Preston. The Footlights Tameside team got their glitz on and headed to The Park Hall Hotel in Preston for the prestigious awards evening, which was attended by 370 guests.
The Northern Stage Awards celebrate excellence in amateur theatre across the North-West of England, recognising performers, production teams, backstage crew and volunteers for their outstanding contributions to theatre.
The evening was a chance for Footlights Tameside to celebrate the success of their recent production of ‘Annie’ and the incredible cast, crew and teaching team who helped bring the show to life.
Tony George, Principal at Footlights Tameside, said: “Annie was a fantastic show. It was great to get dressed up to celebrate the hard work, talent, dedication and teamwork that made it happen and to enjoy a lovely three-course meal. As a professional class provider, Footlights Tameside were eligible for the Youth and Show categories, but it was nice to get the chance to talk to the judges who commended our teachers for the choreography and singing.”
One of the biggest highlights of the evening came when eight-year-old Footlights performer Scarlett was announced as the winner of The Vegas Award. The award recognises performers who are typically part of an ensemble and may not otherwise receive individual recognition, but who stand out as special.
With thousands of young cast members nominated, Scarlett’s achievement was a fantastic recognition of her talent and enthusiasm. The judges described her as a “star for the future,” praising the enthusiasm she brings to her performances and noting that it clearly demonstrates her love for the stage.
Tony said: “I will be reminding Footlights children that a place in the ensemble is an important part and deserving of all their effort to make the show exceptional. You never know – you might end up like Scarlett and our other ensemble nominees and even win an award!”
There was a second award for Footlights Tameside on the night, with Tony himself taking home the award for Best Pantomime Dame, recognising his work performing in adult pantomime. The nine nominations and two awards provided a fitting way to mark the achievements of the cast and everyone who contributed to the Annie production, while giving the Footlights Tameside team an opportunity to celebrate together away from the rehearsal room and stage.
Tony added: “We’re incredibly proud of everyone who participated in Annie. Awards are a lovely bonus, but the real achievement is seeing our young people grow in confidence, develop their skills and work together as a team to create something they can be proud of.”