8.39°C Celebrating Colchester’s Theatre Community
On Sunday 18th January, Colchester’s amateur and community theatre scene gathered at the Headgate Theatre for the Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Awards, marking the first-ever live ceremony in the awards’ history.
The event brought together performers, creatives and supporters from across the local theatre community to celebrate a year of work on stage and behind the scenes. Moving the awards into a live setting created an opportunity to recognise achievements collectively and reflect the collaborative spirit of Colchester’s theatre scene.
About the Awards
The awards were co-organised by Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Editor Dr Paul T. Davies and Councillor Tim Young, who also hosted the ceremony, with support from Ben Howard, founder of Keep Colchester Cool. Together, they oversaw the transition of the awards from an annual online feature into a shared live event.
Proceedings opened with a live performance from Ashley Cook, a finalist in Colchester Has Talent 2025, who returned to the stage later in the afternoon following the interval.
During the ceremony, Paul reflected briefly on the origins of the awards, which began in 2012 as a theatre review column in the Colchester Gazette before later becoming known as The Paulies. Following the move to Keep Colchester Cool, the awards continued with the same focus on recognising the depth and range of local talent.
Dr Paul T. Davies said:
“The awards were never just about recognising individuals or productions. They were created to celebrate the fact that Colchester consistently punches above its weight when it comes to skill, creativity and commitment in the performing arts. Throughout the afternoon, presenters and winners spoke about how theatre and the arts had changed their lives, and many took the time to thank teachers, mentors, friends and family for their support.”
Award Winners
Best Musical Theatre Actress in a Supporting Role
Jackie Grant for Morgan Le Fey in Camelot (Platform)
Best Musical Theatre Actor in a Supporting Role
Richard Harrison for Lancelot in Camelot
Best Supporting Actor
Paul Reed for Alfie in One Man, Two Guvnors (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Best Supporting Actress (Joint Winners)
Donna Potter for various roles, especially Jacob Marley, in A Christmas Carol (Colchester Theatre Group)
Sarah Ellen Young for Madame Xania in The Killing of Sister George (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Best Musical Theatre Actress
Cally Kline for Queen Guenevere in Camelot
Best Musical Theatre Actor
Kourosh Nayeri for Jonathan in Tick, Tick… Boom! (St Helena School)
Best Musical
Tick, Tick… Boom! (St Helena School)
Best Actress
Sharon Carter, Olivia Rix and Lilly Skeggs for various roles in Our Walk Through The World (joint award)
Best Actor
Tom Hitchcock for Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors
Best Director
Forest Morgan for Our Walk Through The World (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Best Production
One Man, Two Guvnors – Headgate Theatre Productions
Special Award – Outstanding Contribution to Local Theatre
Chosen by Paul T. Davies, this year’s Special Award was presented to Mike and Isobel Sullivan. Mike was recognised for his work as Head Technician at the Headgate Theatre and his long-standing role as a mentor and teacher. Isobel was honoured for her leadership of costume teams across a wide range of productions.
Presenters and Thanks
Awards were presented throughout the afternoon by a range of individuals drawn from Colchester’s theatre and arts community, including Sallie Mills Lewis, Sharon Carter, Sara Green, Matthew Young, Natasha Rickman, Dawn King, George Penny, Anthony Roberts, Wendy Smith and Ben Howard, alongside hosts Paul T. Davies and Tim Young.
The organisers also thank the Headgate Theatre team for their support in staging the first live Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Awards, Colne Radio for their interviews and coverage, as well as Seana Hughes, who captured the event as photographer.
Looking Ahead
Organisers hope the success of the live event will see the Keep Colchester Cool Theatre Awards continue as an annual celebration of Colchester’s theatre community.
Photos by Seana Hughes – feel free to download and share.
