Silverdale’s amateur dramatic group has scooped two of the UK theatre’s highest regional awards for its production of ‘Rapunzel’.
In its Northwest Finals, the UK’s National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awarded The Silverdale Village Players the top coveted awards of ‘Best Pantomime’ and the Players’ own writer and director Rachael Shone received ‘Best Director of a Pantomime’. The awards for amateur drama, musical and pantomime productions staged within the whole of the Northwest during January to December 2023, were announced on the 5th May at a special Awards Dinner in the Ballroom at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Rachael’s creative panto ‘Rapunzel’ featured the ‘Hair We Go’ salon, talking cats, an hilarious tower sequence with puppets, and gigantic head lice rampaging through the nearby Eaves Wood, hunted down by the Silverdale’s ‘Nitbusters’ (aka the ‘Knit and Natter’ group) under the direction of Miss Beehive and Major Comb-Over.
Rachael says: “Writing and directing ‘Rapunzel’ was a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience. I feel really privileged to have had such a talented cast and backstage team, who worked so hard to bring my script to life. NODA’s recognition is a huge pat on the back to everyone involved.” Discussions are underway regarding this year’s pantomime, which will be staged at the Gaskell Hall, Silverdale from Wednesday 4th – Saturday 7th December. Rehearsals start in September and new members are welcome to join in the fun. For more information, visit the website: https://www.silverdalevillageplayers.co.uk/
Source: Elizabeth Unsworth, Silverdale Village Players