7.98°C I am excited to announce the nominations for the 2024 Paulies, now known as the Keep Colchester Cool Awards for Local Theatre.
I created the Paulies years ago to celebrate the achievements of our local amateur theatre scene, and the principles and rules remain the same. The key rules are simple: I must have seen all the nominated shows, and I’m not allowed- of course – to nominate anything I’ve been personally involved in.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank the amazing company behind my production of A Monster Calls for Headgate Young Company – truly outstanding work!
Now, without further ado, here are the 2024 nominations!
BEST PLAY
- Equus (Headgate Theatre Productions)
- Ghosts (Headgate Theatre Productions)
- Macbeth (Colchester Theatre Group)
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Headgate Theatre Productions)
- Treatment (Headgate Theatre Studio Sessions)
BEST MUSICAL
- A Man of No Importance (Headgate Theatre Productions)
- My Fair Lady (Colchester Operatic Society)
- Nine (Platform Musicals)
BEST ACTOR
- Dean Bartholemew for Martin Dysart in Equus
- George Deadman for Oswald Irving in Ghosts
- Rowan Donaldson for Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- George Penny for Alan Strang in Equus
- James Potter for George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life (Colchester Theatre Group)
BEST ACTRESS
- Helen Bridge for Snake in The Grass (Headgate Theatre Productions)
- Sara Green for Clarissa Odbody in It’s A Wonderful Life
- Laura Hill for Helene Irving in Ghosts
- Mairead Ladyman for Lady Macbeth in Macbeth
- Emma Theedom for Julia in Treatment
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
- Michael Cook for Pastor Manders in Ghosts
- Steven Lello for Frank Strang in Equus
- James Potter for Macduff in Macbeth
- Adam Webb for Nugget/Horseman in Equus
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
- Clare Allmond for Dora Strang in Equus
- Anna Caldwell for Regina in Ghosts
- Elly Kent Johnson for Hesther Salome in Equus
- Maddy Smith for Lucetta in The Two Gentlemen of Verona
BEST DIRECTOR
- Wade Ablitt for A Man of No Importance
- Sharon Carter and Toby Roberts for Equus
- Sheila Foster for The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Lorraine Howarth for Macbeth
- Andrew Hodgson for Ghosts and Treatment
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTRESS
- Hannah Ambrose for Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady
- Martha Mugford for Adele Rice in A Man of No Importance
- Leanne Thomas for Luisa in Nine
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Caroline Fritz for Lily Byrne in A Man of No Importance
- Emma Theedom for Carla in Nine
- Jayne Sheeran for Saraghina in Nine
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTOR
- Gareth Gwyn Jones for Alfie Byrne in A Man of No Importance
- Tom Pleasant for Guido in Nine
- Wayne Setford for Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Graham Bowden for Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady
- Connor Pratchett for Robbie Fay in A Man of No Importance
- Stuart Williams for Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady
Winners will be announced on Monday 9th December, as will my Special Award to an individual or company that has made an outstanding contribution to local theatre. Stay Tuned!
Paul T. Davies
