Congratulations to Hannah Bleackley and Ben Birkett who recently won NODA North West Awards!

Hannah won for ‘Best Female Lead in a Youth Drama’ for her role as Boy in The Witches

Ben won ‘Best Male Youth Comedy Performance’ for his role as Buddy in Elf the Musical.

We have been out and about letting people know that The Witches is on next week at the Daneside Theatre.  We met some very witchy freinds and turned some of them into mice! Thanks to Tesco for your support!

Rosie Pearce has been presented with a North West Award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

Rosie was given the award for Best Leading Female in a Musical, beating regional winners from all over the North West, for her performance as Natalie/Ed in All Shook Up in November 2016 at the Daneside Theatre, Congleton.

The production, which The Congleton Chronicle called “a fantastic performance” was recognised ahead of all others in Cheshire in a total of 6 categories including Best Youth Musical.  Congratulations!

Reviews of All Shook Up were very positive, for the cast and also the musicians, sets and costumes.  The Stoke Sentinel commented ” When everyone is singing the sound is truly impressive… Another of the highlights is the first half finale, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”, sung beautifully by the six leads before being joined by the entire company: a moment to send shivers down the spine.”

The Congleton Chronicle remarked “It wouldn’t be surprising at all if the principal cast found themselves treading the boards of the West End in years to come…All Shook Up was a fantastic performance and anyone who fancies a professional standard production in town should definitely check out Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre’s future shows.”

We have been out and about promoting our show this week.  Elvis came all the way from Las Vegas to support us! Thanks to everyone who joined in.  Don’t forget to get your tickets.

The Congleton Chronicle reviewed Wanted! Robin Hood and concluded it was “A great night’s entertainment aided by a fabulously designed set”.

The article praised many members of the cast including Lizzie Lomas who stepped in as Marian at the last minute, the ‘swashbuckling’ Richard Vickers (Robin), the ‘dastardly’ James Gittins (Sheriff) and ‘sinister’ Oliver Rhodes (Gisbourne) and Hannah Bleakley who ‘had the audience in fits’ as Much the Miller’s Son.  Ben Birkett gets ‘special mention’ as the conniving Sir Eustace who ‘spent the evening elongating his vowels and turning his nose up at the rest of the cast’.   Congratulations to all the cast and crew.

Our very own Joe Pearce has won the National Operatic and Dramatic Association North West Youth Award for his role as the Woodcutter/Squire in Rats’ Tales in May 2015. The NODA reviewer commented that the performance was ‘outstanding’ with ‘very good characterisation’.  This is the second time Joe has won this prestigious award, having won previously for his role in The Tempest in 2013.   Congratulations Joe!

Reviews of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr were universally positive.  The Congleton Chronicle called it “enchanting, funny and an utter joy”.  The Sentinel referred to the show as “excellent” and NODA concluded “I was very impressed with the standard and professionalism of these young actors and singers and can’t wait for their next production”.

Thanks to all our reviewers!

We met a lot of jellyfish whilst promoting The Little Mermaid in Congleton today!  Thanks to everyone for joining in and for your support for our show!

Outgoing Mayor of Congleton Sally Holland chose Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre as one of the youth charities she supported in December 2014. Here is Sally handing over a cheque for £400 to our Chairman, Sue Beech. The money will provide much-needed supplies to help with costumes, lighting and set creation for our productions at the Daneside Theatre, giving young people in the area the chance to perform in professional-quality stage shows to entertain the people of Congleton. Thank you!