SPOSCARS celebrate best of Southwick Players

Winners at the Southwick Players annual awards 2016, from left, president Nigel Bubloz, Kerry Williams, Tobias Clay, Amy Bowyer, Bethany Caplan and Richard Lindfield

Members involved in last year’s productions gathered at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, on Saturday for a glittering evening, with entertainment from compère H Reeves.

President Nigel Bubloz was kind enough to mention the ‘wonderful coverage’ provided in the Shoreham Herald.

He also thanked the members who work behind the scenes to support the company, including the publicity team.

Richard Lindfield picked up the awards for best overall production and best director for See How They Run

Mr Bubloz added: “I would like, and hope, all the backstage people feel part of the celebrations. We don’t have very many awards for them so they don’t often get recognition but they work very hard and we hope they take away some credit from this evening as well.”

The majority of the awards went to See How They Run, a farce in three acts written in 1943 by the late Philip King, who was president of Southwick Players at the time.

Director Richard Lindfield, who picked up the awards for best overall production and best director, said: “I think this is the funniest farce written in the English language. It is just brilliant.

“The great thing for me was being out here every night and just experiencing the waves of laughter. It is the funniest thing you can imagine in the theatre.”

Tobias Clay won best actor for the second year running, this time for his role as Clive Winton in See How They Run.

He said: “What a great show. It is the first farce I have ever done. I am bowled over to have this trophy again.”

Best actress went to Kerry Williams for her commanding performance as Penelope Toop, the vicar’s wife, and she amused everyone by making a short acceptance speech in character.

Amy Bowyer won best supporting actor for her brilliant portrayal of the maid Ida.

President Nigel Bubloz, left, receives the Players' Player award from H Reeves

Mr Bubloz was named Players’ Player for outstanding contribution over the last year.

He said: “This award is a special one. It is the only award we have for people working behind the scenes.”

He was also presented with the Bracket Award for technical excellence, a one-off award presented by Len Shipton, who runs the workshop team.

Mr Bubloz was cast in Easy Stages, one of three one-act plays performed in June, and his role involved pretending to be working on the set for a play. The prop given to him ‘to do something with on the stage’ was turned into a glittering trophy and presented by Mr Shipton.

Amy Bowyer won best supporting actor for her brilliant portrayal of the maid in See How They Run

The award for most promising youth member went to Bethany Caplan for her role in Sparkleshark, another of the one-act plays.

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Best actress went to Kerry Williams for her commanding performance as Penelope Toop

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