Amateur performers take a bow

Amateur performers are the foot soldiers of theatre. They're dedicated, unpaid and often uncelebrated. Hundreds of people in 76 amateur theatre, music and opera societies throughout the country stage productions which spark up their communities. But the efforts of these troupers have largely gone unsung.

A group of players chaired by Terry O'Connor dreamed up the Northern Amateur Performing Theatre Awards to recognise members of nine performing societies, from Whangarei to Pukekohe.

The awards have taken two years to set up but on Saturday night, at a black-tie dinner at the Sheraton Hotel, Northern Region thespians received the first of what is hoped will be an annual celebration of talent.

The winners were:

Best production: Chess, Howick Operatic Society.

Best male performer: John Hellyer, Chess, Howick Operatic Society.

Best female performer: Bronwen Tollan, Blood Brothers, Papakura Theatre Club.

Best direction: Lachie McLean, Les Miserables, Otamatea Repertory Society.

Best contributing male performer: Richard Neame, Les Mis, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best contributing female performer: Vauneen Stephens, Guys and Dolls, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best supporting ensemble: Les Mis, Otamatea Repertory Society.

Best musical direction: Kerry Priestley, Les Mis, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best vocal work by a supporting ensemble: Les Mis, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best choreography: Tina Howse and Kimberley Olsen, Guys and Dolls, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best choreographic work by a supporting ensemble: Guys and Dolls, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best costume design: Berta Nicoll, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Pukekohe Light Opera.

Best set design: Grant Robinson, Little Shop of Horrors , Howick Operatic Society.

Best lighting design: Scott Thomas, Les Mis, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best sound design: Martyn Reynolds and Leon Mahanga, Les Mis, North Shore Operatic Society.

Best props: Jeanette Osborne, 'Allo,'Allo, Whangarei Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Best makeup and hair: Dianna Biddick, Slice of Saturday Night, Papakura Theatre Club.

Best special effects: Les Mis, Otamatea Repertory Society.