THE fifth annual A4B Amateur Theatre Awards presentation gala took place at Abergavenny’s Angel Hotel on Saturday evening.

Organised by A4B the Borough Theatre based committee promoting and supporting the amateur theatre community, the awards are designed to highlight the very best in performances staged by the theatre’s ‘founder societies’ - AAODS and AAODS juniors, Abergavenny Pantomime Company, Abergavenny Theatre Group and Breakthrough Productions.

This year’s judging panel once again praised the high standard of performance and said they had seen some exceptional performances during their year of judging.

The evening also saw popular Abergavenny couple Ken and Ruth Watkins - former landlords of the King’s Head Hotel, presented with the committee’s Offstage award, which recognises ‘behind the scenes’ contribution to the theatrical community.

“Whether they have been providing a place to rehearse, a place to celebrate or a place to drown your sorrows after the rehearsal from hell, their support for the town’s amateur societies has been unstinting,” said the chairman of A4B Liz Davies.

“They may have left the King’s Head but I know their association with the theatre will long continue,” she added.

The evening also saw the presentation of the Bernard Zavishlock award for outstanding contribution to amateur theatre, fondly known as ‘The Bernie’ which this year was presented to the recently retired front of house manager of the Borough Theatre Terry?Monaghan.

Paying tribute to Ms Monaghan theatre manager Nick Banwell said that he owed her a personal debt of gratitude for her help and support during his time at the theatre adding that in a 36 year career she had also worked closely with every society in the town.

“It’s safe to say that without Terry the Borough Theatre would not be what it is today,” he said.

Top prize for the evening went for the second time to Breakthrough Productions for its production of Jude Garland’s Last Stand with The Judges’ Award presented to Laura Harrington for her comedic turn in Singing in the Rain.

Earlier in the week the panel of judges had attended a rehearsal of Abergavenny Pantomime Committee to present a similar award to Tomos Lang and Jaycob Harrington for their scene stealing appearances as a pair of inept soldiers in Cinderella.

Speaking after the event, the chairman of A4B Liz Davies said, “We’d like to thank all those who have helped make the awards a success this yea - our sponsors Abergavenny Town Council, Abergavenny Rotary Club, The King’s Head and Zenith McGarty, the Angel Hotel and of course of all those performers who work so hard to make the amateur theatre community in Abergavenny one of the most vibrant of any town.

“We’d also like to thank singing duo ‘A Swinging Affair - better known as Christine Burbridge and Gareth Davies - for once again providing the brilliant entertainment which ensured that everyone was up and dancing at the end of the night,” she added.

A4B award

winners

The Abergavenny Rotary award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Under 25): Luke Williams - Singing in the Rain

The Abergavenny Rotary Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Under 25): Maddie Robertson -?Return to the Forbidden Planet

The Abergavenny Rotary Award for Best Actor (Under 18): Alex Williams - Cinderella

The Ruth and Ken Watkins Award for Best Actress (Under 18): Alys Le Moignan - Return to the Forbidden Planet.

The A4B award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Phillips - Jude Garland’s Last Stand

The A4B award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Sarah Fowler - Jude Garland’s Last Stand

The Abergavenny Rotary Award for Best Actor: Andrew Fowler - Jude Garland’s Last Stand

The Zenith McGarty Award for Best Actress: Sarah Phillips - Jude Garland’s Last Stand

The Judges’ Award: Laura Harrington - Singing in the Rain / Tomos Lang and Jaycob Harrington - Cinderella.

The Offstage Award: Ken and Ruth Watkins

The Bernard Zavishlock Award for Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Theatre: Terry Monaghan

The Abergavenny Town Council Award for Production of the Year: Jude Garland’s Last Stand