St Ives young people’s theatre group, Kidz R Us, was presented with a stunning total of 7 Awards at the Cornwall Drama Association Awards Dinner last Saturday (31 October) in Newquay. 

The Cornwall Drama Association supports the continued development of amateur theatre in the county.  The Awards are an annual competition, open to entry by societies throughout Cornwall. 

Kidz R Us received four awards in the Musicals category for: Best Musical, Best Set and The Sally Robinson Award for an Outstanding Musical Performance, for their production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Likes of Us” in January 09. They also received the award for Best Costumes for “The Likes of Us” and “Alice in Wonderland”.

Kidz also received three special awards: The John Walton Award for the Best Youth Performance, The Paula Thornton Award for Outstanding Costumes, both for “The Likes of Us”, and Nicola Wilkes (17) was one of three winners of The Roy Crosley Award to a young actor of 18 years or under for an Outstanding Performance, for her portrayal of Syrie in “The Likes of Us”.

Phil Barnett, Chairman of Kidz R Us and director of “The Likes of Us” said “I am absolutely delighted that Kidz have been given these awards.  The Likes of Us was very special to us, because it was the amateur world premiere of the show, and it was an amazing privilege to be creating a production of a piece that had never been fully staged before.  All the Kidz and our volunteer helpers worked incredibly hard to put the show on stage and it’s great that other people feel we achieved something memorable.”

Kidz are currently working on their Christmas show, “Robinson Crusoe & the Pirates”, a traditional family panto, packed with dastardly pirates, shipwrecks, buried treasure and a cannibal island as well as a few songs, a lot of jokes, and a magical evening of colour and spectacle.  The production runs at St Ives Theatre from 19 – 22 and 28 – 29 December at 7.30pm; matinees 19, 20, 28 and 29 December at 2.30pm.  

For more information contact Kidz R Us 01736 797007  info@kidzrus.net

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