THE awards keep on flowing for Tyldesley Little Theatre.
At the Greater Manchester Drama Federation awards dinner the busy local society picked up seven nominations, placing TLT within the top four for a variety of successes both on and off stage.
The nominations then turned into three magical wins!
‘Ladies’ Day’ certainly had its day – this bittersweet comedy drama set at the races, directed by Ian Taylor, produced a handful of nominations, including Best Production and Best Director but the theatre was delighted to cheer on as their contenders galloped over the line in both first and second place.
Andrea Peters deservedly won the Best Actress Award for her portrayal of the mousy Linda, described by the GMDF adjudicator as being a “superbly judged, natural and well-timed performance, with a real emotional kick, and loads of great humour”.
Director Ian Taylor then collected the Lowry Trophy for Runner-up Best Overall Production – Section A for the play, a prestigious award reflecting the entire cast and crew and explained by GMDF secretary Sue Mooney as being second only to the overall Drama Shield Winner and therefore in the Top Two of the whole section.
Amazingly, this is the second time TLT have achieved this in four years and the fourth time that the society has effectively reached at least joint third in eight years, the other director to help create a Best Production nomination being TLT chairperson Jenny Whur. ‘Ladies’ Day’, as with Jenny’s well received play ‘Third Week in August’ (2008), managed to gather an impressive four nominations with both plays, coincidentally, being nominated for all four of the same categories, Best Production, Best Production runner-up, Best Director and one of the Best Acting slots.
Glenn Robinson’s production of ‘Trap for a Lonely Man’ received an adjudicator’s discretionary nomination for the difficulties involved in the show as the leading man, Paul Ward was forced to drop out due to health issues and the director had to take over. The pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’, directed by Ian Taylor, was also nominated – for Best Costume Design & Creation, the second time TLT has been up for this award.
Tyldesley’s final win of the night came from in front of the curtains rather than behind or between them, however, as Hilda Taylor was proudly cheered on as she picked up the David Lane Trophy for Front of House Organisation on behalf of the whole Front of House Team that this year has consisted of Hilda, husband Wallace, Kathleen Gregory, Sue Berry, Val Betts, Lisa Taylor and a host of other members. GMDF adjudicator Ian Townsend singled out Hilda for her always warm welcome.
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