THE founder of the Isle of Wight Amateur Theatre Awards, John Hannam, said an emotional farewell to the event on Tuesday 3rd November.
The cream of the Island’s amateur theatre scene gathered at Shanklin Theatre to discover who would win this year’s ‘Am Dram Oscars’ for the finest performances over the past year.
Godshill-based broadcaster and writer John Hannam, who established the awards in 1998, has now retired from running it — and with no one ready to follow in his footsteps, it has effectively been brought to a close.
John thanked those who have kept amateur theatre alive on the Isle of Wight and paid tribute to the enthusiasm of am dram groups.
There was a surprise This Is Your Life style presentation to John, presented by Steve Reading of Red Tie Theatre — the winners of this year’s Services to the Island Stage award.
The awards for best male and female lead were presented to Christian Manderfield, for his performance in Mindgame, and Ellie Warren, for One Mississippi.
The award for best play, John’s most difficult decision of the evening, was for Apollo Theatre’s Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.
Steve Reading and John Hannam at the Isle of Wight Amateur Theatre Awards.
Picture by Peter Boam. Article courtesy of IW County Press.
