Sussex theatre companies praised at Brighton and Hove Arts Council Drama Awards 2023 as winners are announced

Two plays were performed at The Barn Theatre in Southwick – The Southwick Players' Humble Boy and Wick Theatre Company's Shadowlands. Hurst Players performed ART at Players Theatre in Hurstpierpoint, Rottingdean Drama Society performed The Ladykillers at Rottingdean Public Hall and Henfield Theatre Company performed Jekyll And Hyde at Henfield Hall.

The plays were adjudicated by Kate Dyson in September and October and she announced the winners at the awards evening, hosted by arts council committee member Kevin Rance, on December 12.

Henfield Theatre Company, directed by Trevor Hodgson, won best overall production, best director, best costume design and best sound design. The costume team of Lyn Fryer, Hazel Cawte, Anne Davies and Alison Crowe was praised for the wardrobe, while Ven Malyon and Jane Haines won accolades for their choice of music.

Wick Theatre Company won best technical achievement and three other awards. Mike Wells won best male supporting actor for his role as Warnie, Martin Oakley and Susanne Crosby won best lighting design, and Susanne Crosby and Judith Berrill won best publicity and poster.

There was also a special award for Martin Oakley, the Arthur Churchill Award for Excellence for his outstanding work and exceptional contribution over many years for set and lighting designs and specialist props for both companies at The Barn Theatre in Southwick.

Rottingdean Drama Society won three awards – best female actor for Anita Gilson as Mrs Wilberforce, best set design for Dean Burke and best stage crew, while Hurst Players won The Adjudicator's Award for ART.

Dan Jones from The Southwick Players won best male actor for his role as Felix and Lou Yeo won best supporting female actor for her role as Rosie.

Debbie Creissen, Players president, said: “We are enthusiastic and long-term supporters of Brighton and Hove Arts Council and this year we were delighted that our production of Humble Boy by Charlotte Jones, directed by Nettie Sheridan, was highly acclaimed by the drama awards adjudicator Kate Dyson.

"We were especially thrilled that two of our talented actors received top awards – Dan Jones, best actor for his brilliant and insightful portrayal of Felix Humble, and best supporting actress Louise Yeo for her nuanced interpretation of Felix's ex-girlfriend, Rosie.

"We would also like to congratulate Martin Oakley, a much valued, long-standing member of the Players, who was awarded The Arthur Churchill Award for Excellence for his outstanding technical contributions to productions at The Barn Theatre.”