Drama group’s “Oscars” reward outstanding contributions to the arts
Emma Shaw and Nicky Paton with their awards - Credit: Archant
OUTSTANDING contributions to drama in Crow country have been recognised at a group’s annual awards ceremony.
Corvus Amateur Drama Society (CADS) presented it’s awards after the last night of the 2013 Royston pantomime, Dick Whittington, which was performed at The Meridian School.
The Fred Sillence Award for outstanding contribution to the performing arts, named in honour of the former Crow editor who was an active member of CADS, went to Emma Shaw, while Lizzie Houghton award for youth drama was given to Nicky Paton.
Mrs Shaw has been involved behind the scenes with three CADS shows in the last 12 months, using her creative talents to the full as an artist, needlewoman and designer to create a series of sets and costumes.
A spokesman for CADS said: “Emma has also encouraged CADS to make their pantomimes more autism friendly. Through her own experiences and contacts, autistic children and their families have been invited to dress rehearsals to meet the cast, explore the stage and find out what’s going to happen during the show, this helps the children and their parents manage their expectations and allay their fears.
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“She is not only a wonderful asset to the group; reliable, capable and very hard working and a delightful person to know, but most of all she is extremely modest about her achievements.”
Nicky, 17, has been part of CADS for more than a decade, having first helped his mum and dad painting sets at the age of seven.
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Now a student at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge, the young actor won plaudits for his performance as Bosun Arras in CADS’ production of Return To The Forbidden Planet, which was performed at the Royston Arts Festival, and for his role as Barrow Boy Billy in Dick Whittington.
The spokesman said: “Nicky has such a professional attitude, works hard in rehearsal, takes direction well, has great stage presence and shows a maturity beyond his years.”
CADS next production is the adult themed one-act play Turn To Face The Change by local playwright Peter Hawes. They will enter it into the 2013 Cambridge Drama Festival, which runs from April 22-27. For further details visit www.cadsroyston.org.uk
