Graduates and Bell Award Recipients

July 2010	PHILIPPA SMITH	Philippa joined the group in 2002 for our pantomime, "Beauty and the Beast" where she played a red flower girl. She gained valuable experience as a member of the chorus for several years. In 2006 she was a “lovely lady” in “Les Misérables” and then in 2008 she gained her first principal role as “Mrs Bedwin” in “Oliver !” In 2009 Philippa played the part of the History Professor in “A Matter of Time” and ended the show with a beautiful solo performance. In 2010 she gained the role of “Miss Hannigan” in "Annie", a part she was born to play, and on the final performance of which she was presented with the Bell Award in recognition of her devoted 9 years of commitment and loyalty to the group.. She followed this the same year with a comedic performance as “Pin”, one half of our comedy duo in “Sleeping Beauty”. She graduated from "Calamity Jane" as the delectable “Adelaide Adams”. Philippa is also joining our Graduate Section at their production of “Andy Capp—The Musical” and she is hoping to attend either Newcastle or Liverpool University to study for a degree in Chemistry and hopes to one day become a teacher.
November 2010	PETER LYNN	The Bell Award is given for achievement and John and I have watched Peter grow from a tiny little boy in the chorus providing the "ahh" factor, and the yawn and fidget factor, into the fine actor with a genius for comedy that he is today. Peter was awarded the Bell Award following his performance as "Chester the Jester" in "Sleeping Beauty" but has been with the group since 2003 when he appeared in "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". He has played some notable roles since then, including one of the Babes in "Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood", a miniature Giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk", one of "Snow White's" seven dwarfs and most memorably "The Artful Dodger" in "Oliver!" Peter continues to develop, and is to play the role of "Wild Bill Hickock" in our production of "Calamity Jane" in 2011.	Sorry No Photo Available
July 2011	JULIA SMITH	Julia joined the group in 1999 for our pantomime, "Peter Pan" where she played the tiniest, cutest red fairy. She continued to provide the “ahhh” factor for many more productions. In 2002 she was thrilled to pay the part of mini-Grotilda in “Beauty and the Beast”. In 2005 she played “Confetti” the Rock Chick, part of Mamma Scrumpi’s unruly gang in “Pinocchio”. In 2006 she achieved the coveted role of “Little Cosette” in “Les Misérables”, a role she played to true perfection. Julia then returned to the Dance Troupe until 2008, when she played “Bet” in “Oliver !” She followed this as a beautiful “Cinderella” the same year, and switched to a baddie role as “Magnolia Coodsworth” in “A Matter of Time” in 2009. The same year she was a stunning “Princess Jasmine” in “Aladdin” then “Grace Farrell” in “Annie” and the enchanting “Sleeping Beauty” in 2010. She graduated from "Calamity Jane" as sweet “Katie Brown”, after which she was presented with the Bell Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements over 12 years with the group. Julia is joining our Graduate Section and hopes to attend Newcastle University to read for a degree in Music.	Sorry No Photo Available

The John and Dorothy Bell Achievement Award Recipients
Dorothy Bell served as the NODA representative for our region for 25 years. Upon her retirement in 2006, she and her husband, John, wanted to mark their commitment to Theatre, and in particular Youth Theatre, by presenting an award bearing their name to a member of a local amateur society in recognition of achievement and excellence. It is intended for the award will be presented biannually and the chosen recipient will be selected by Dorothy and John themselves.
Date	Recipient	Citation	Photo
June 2006	ADAM DONALD	Adam was a worthy winner of the inaugural presentation of the award. Not only did he portray "Thenardier" in "Les Mis" but understudied the part of "Javert". At rehearsals he was frequently seen switching from role to role. But Adam received his award not just for his performance in this show, but also in recognition of his performances in previous Junior Section productions and, notably for his dedication and commitment in all aspects of theatre work, being prepared to clear up after rehearsals, move scenery, all the unsung work that someone has to do, and which Adam does without complaint.
December 2006	ELIZABETH LOUGHLIN	Elizabeth first came to note playing a spider in "Cinderella" in 1998, but has blossomed since then, taking on roles in "Frankenstein - the Pantomime" as the swatty schoolgirl, as "Miss Belle" in "Fame" and as "Fairy Sugardust" in "Jack and the Beanstalk" . But Elizabeth's passion and exceptional talent lies in Dance, and she has taken on the role firstly of Dance Captain, and more recently Choreographer to the group, devising many of the unique and spectacular routines seen in our recent shows, notably the "Bohemian Rhapsody" finale to "Pinocchio" and the many routines in "Jack and the Beanstalk" whilst also performing in a principal role.
July 2007	DAVID STOKER	David joined the group in 2001 for our production of "Kids on Broadway", our first production in Park View Theatre. He was a little boy who we discovered had a big voice and was soon to find himself in leading roles such as the Prince in "Beauty and the Beast" and in "Marooned". He followed this as "Schlomo" in "Fame the Musical" and sang "Bring On Tomorrow" which has become the Juniors anthem, before tackling "Valjean" in "Les Miserables". David was presented with his award after performing as "Tony" in "West Side Story", a part we were fearful he may have to surrender after successfully reaching the last 100 of 8000 hopefuls in BBC TV's search for a new Joseph in "Any Dream Will Do".	Sorry No Photo Available
December 2007	STEVIE LAWTON	Stephen Lawton, "Stevie", has been a member of the society for 12 years, and in his time has played many furry creatures from ducklings to piglets. But Stevie's talents are not restricted to fauna, having excelled in roles that have stretched him much further. He was Frankie, in "Frankenstein the Pantomime", bespectacled "Gepetto" in "Pinocchio", and the hilariously funny "Jerry" in "Summer Holiday". In 2006 he played the straight laced manservant "Humphrey" in "Jack and the Beanstalk" and in contrast "Chino" in this years "West Side Story" before crowning his comedic achievements with the dame "Edna Bucket" in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" following which he received his much deserved award.
July 2008	CATHERINE DRYDEN	Catherine has appeared in 29 shows during her 15 years with the group. She is currently the longest serving member, a record that is unlikely to be beaten given that she started at the tender age of 3. Catherine’s first principal part at the age of 6 years was as the smallest dwarf in “Snow White”. She was a 10 years old “Tinkerbell” in “Peter Pan” and was “Sleeping Beauty” the following year. In our first production in Park View, “Kids On Broadway” she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Misérables” little knowing she would repeat this in the role of “Fantine” when the group performed the Schools Edition of the full show in 2006. Catherine has played many varied pantomime roles but her favourite and most memorable performances would be “Carmen” in “Fame the Musical” in 2004, “Maria” in “West Side Story” in 2007 and the role she graduated in, the feisty “Nancy” in "Oliver!"	Sorry No Photo Available
November 2008	PETER CUMISKEY	Peter joined the group in 2005 for our production of “Summer Holiday” and in the same year he played the leading role of “Pinocchio” in our pantomime, a perfect little puppet! Peter played one of the ill-fated students on the barricade in “Les Miserables” and followed this as “Snowboy” of the “Jets” gang in “West Side Story”. In 2007 Peter played “Merlin of the Mirror” in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and returned after a short study leave to play “Baron Hardup” in “Cinderella” following this with yet another doddery character, “Mr MacTavish” in “A Matter of Time”. This was followed by the role of “The Emperor” in “Aladdin”. In “Annie” he played several cameo roles but most notably, “Bert Healy”. He has balanced these roles with his studies for A-level exams and also hopes to pursue a University career.	Sorry No Photo Available
July 2009	ALISON BEVERIDGE & CATHERINE SMITH	Catherine joined the Theatre Group in 2002 and during her 7 years with the Society has appeared in 14 full shows and numerous concerts. Her first show was "Beauty and the Beast" where she performed a chorus role, but it was not long before her talents earned her a principal role, that of the feisty "Lamb Chops" in "Fame - The Musical". Other principal parts followed, "Grazia" the undercover police officer in "Pinocchio", and most notably "Eponine" in the society's 2006 production of "Les Miserables". Alison joined the group in for the production of "Marooned" in 2003, one production after Catherine, her best friend. She started in the chorus and dancing troupe for her first productions and gained her first principal role as "Avril Acorn" in "Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood". She was a wonderful leading lady, "Barbara" in "Summer Holiday" and an evil Queen in "Snow White". The Bell Award has been presented jointly to both Alison and Catherine, in recognition of not only of their enduring friendship, but also of their commitment, devotion and loyalty to the Amateur Stage. They are an inspiration to the younger members around them, and are to be admired for their talent and dedication.