A play about a friendship formed over the sharing of lunch swept the board at a recent local theatre competition.

’Melody’, performed by members of the Service Players, won three top awards at the One Act Play Festival, which took place at the Erin Arts Centre between Wednesday and Saturday, March 4 to 7.

The performance of ’Melody’ won the festival’s top prize, the Northern Arts Rose Bowl, for the best adult play, while Howard Caine won the Mark Clift award for best actor and the Caine Family Trophy for best director went to Lindsay Quayle.

The Service Players also took the runners-up spot in the adult play category with their performance of ’Lost the Plot’, written by local playwright Lisa Creighton, with Tom Cain winning the award for best supporting actor.

Rachel Martin, who appeared in the Service Players’ production of ’The Terrorist’ won best supporting actress.

’Melody’ also won the award for best sound and lighting, while ’Lost The Plot’ was awarded for having the best set design.

The Broadway Youth Theatre group took the awards for the best youth production, as they were the only group that qualified for the youth category.

However, they came in for a great deal of praise from adjudicator Sue Doherty, who said that she felt the standard of the young actors was very good and they all deserved their accolades.

Particular praise was given to best actors Tyler Kneale and Orry Wilson and Daisy Quinn who was named best youth actress for their roles in the Broadway Youth Theatre’s production of ’And Then There Were Three!’

Five local amateur dramatics groups took part in the festival, performing 10 different short, single act plays.

Other winners during the festival included Gemma Varnom, from the Broadway Theatre Company, who won best actress for her part in the play ’Interior Designs’.

’It was an absolute pleasure to adjudicate this event,’ said Sue, during the awards ceremony.

’The organisation and ethos of the whole festival could not be faulted.’

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers