THE votes are in!

After hours of debate, discussion and deliberations, our panel of independent judges have decided their favourite amateur shows of this year.

Thespians across the South have been waiting with baited breath for the nominees of the 2016 Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards.

Today we can reveal nominees in each of our 37 categories, including the coveted Production of the Year.

For our version of the Academy Awards for amateur dramatics, the Daily Echo's team of reviewers have been scouring the area seeking out the very best actors, producers and crews in genres from comedy to drama, youth to pantomimes and musicals to Shakespeare.

The cream of the region's amateur theatre talent will come together early next year for a glitzy dinner dance where the winners of each category will be revealed.

The glamorous occasion takes place at Southampton’s Grand Harbour Hotel.

Nominees will have to wait until Friday January 27 to see if their name is inside the winning golden envelope.

To book your tickets, fill out the booking form sent to your society, email jo.richardson@dailyecho.co.uk or call 023 8042 4715.

Best Newcomer

Freya Burnside. Pitti-Sing in Hot Mikado. RAODS. A wonderfully confident adult debut.

Cari Laythorpe. Phyllida in The Pocket Dream. Chameleon Theatre Company. Made a striking debut and a shrill Titania!

Gail Blues. Director of Metamorphosis. Maskers Theatre Company. Created a riveting, shocking version of Kafka's story.

Herbie Curran, Bartley in The Cripple of Inishmaan. RAODS. A maddeningly patient sweet selector.

Barry McGonigle. Yasha in The Cherry Orchard. West Meon Theatre. An impressive debut performance as the self-serving manservant Dunyasha.

Eleanor Boag. Sarah in Female Transport. Studio Theatre. Great work as a mercurial young woman who is being transported overseas and attracts but proves too much for a young crewman.

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

Matt Costen. Chris Keller in All My Sons. Chameleon Theatre Company. Matt was compelling as the conflicted survivor, devastated at having to face reality.

Roger Bratchell. Jerry Diving in Juno and the Paycock. Chesil Theatre. Memorable in his cruel rejection of Mary.

James Paterson. Sarge in Female Transport. Studio Theatre. A frightening performance as this cruel and sadistic character.

Ben Smart. Jack Lane in The Herbal Bed. Titchfield Festival Theatre. An enjoyable performance as the non-Puritanical villain of the piece.

Stuart Frank. Simon in Murder on the Nile. Fareham Musical Society. Bids plausibly for our sympathy in this Agatha Christie mystery.

Darius Timmerman. Moses in Animal Farm. Southampton University Students Union Theatre Group. Realised his inner holy roller perfectly as this preaching crow.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

Sue Dashper. Mrs Samsa in Metamorphosis. Maskers Theatre Company. Played with wit and insight.

Meriel Shepherd. Mammy in The Cripple of Inishmaan. RAODS. A lovely cameo as an unrepentantly alcoholic mother.

Issy Mitchell. Helen in The Cripple of Inishmaan. RAODS. An admirably irreligious egg lobber.

Stacy Walkden. Hester in The Herbal Bed. Titchfield Festival Theatre. Expressed the complicated emotions of this character well.

Nicky Malliarou. Amy in Amy's View. Chesil Theatre. Convincing as this warm, perhaps too caring character.

Jessi Wilson, Katie Maurice in Anne of Green Gables. Bench Theatre. A sympathetic character in the preview story, and a graceful narrator for the rest of the play.

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

Mark Ponsford. Roger de Bris in The Producers. Pocket Theatre. A very polished, highly comical characterisation.

Mark Johnson. Carmen Ghia in The Producers. Pocket Theatre. The perfect comic foil to Mark Ponsford’s character, a great chemistry that was eminently watchable.

Howard Corbett. Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. Freemantle United Reformed Church. His angst-ridden rock-star voice stole the show.

Peter Colley. Mr Wormald in Betty Blue Eyes. CCADS. A regular scene stealer as the jobsworth Man From The Ministry.

Alan Jenkins. Harold Wilson in Made In Dagenham. South Downe Musical Society. Gave us several hilarious scenes as the former PM.

Charlie Randall. Paul Muddle in Freelancers. SUSU Showstoppers. Took to the stage in a whirlwind of comic timing.

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

Sheila Birt. Mother Dear in Betty Blue Eyes, CCADS. A wonderfully funny characterisation.

Luanssa Goodman. Anita in West Side Story. Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society. Sang beautifully and acted believably.

Kimberley Harvey. Rizzo in Grease, South Downe. Totally outshone all the leading players.

Becky Willis. The Lady of The Lake in Spamalot. Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions. The cast were impressive but she topped them all.

Charlotte Thomas. Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods. CCADS. A wonderfully lively performance and her accent completely fooled me.

Sue Rourke. Barbara Castle in Made In Dagenham. South Downe Musical Society. A predictably assured interpretation.

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Comic Drama

Jason Christopher. Angus in Neville’s Island. Porchester Players. Hilarious in his understatement.

Ben Lister. Brian Runnicles in No Sex Please We’re British. Fareham Musical Society. Co-opted in during the week, Lister does a stupendous job.

David Baldwin. Aylott in A Month of Sundays. Cheriton Players. Skilfully and sensitively portrayed.

Wayne Ings. Kynaston in Nell Gwynn. RAODS. His diva tantrums were gleefully anticipated.

John Souter. Audrey in Ten Times Table. Maskers Theatre Company. He gave a stand-out performance as an elderly, hard of hearing lady!

Colin Hayman. Badger in Toad of Toad Hall. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Added to the charm of this production as the dependable, poetry reciting Badger.

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Comic Drama

Carol Ings. Madame Arcarti in Blithe Spirit. Hamble Players. Magnificent as the eccentric and exuberant medium.

Penelope Wright. Harriet Humphrey in I’ll Get My Man. Lymington Players. The long-suffering sister gave a flawless performance.

Marina Voak. Eleanor Hunter in No Sex Please – We’re British. Fareham Musical Society. Her grandeur and veiled compliments were delicious.

Christina Pye. Bess in Robin Hood. Chesil Theatre. Her line delivery was comedy gold.

Sheelagh Browne. Mole in Toad of Toad Hall. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Lovely support as the fun loving Mole.

Cat Lewis. Daria Chase in The Game's Afoot. Southampton University Students Union Theatre Group. As a fearful journalist, handles the droll wisecracks with aplomb, but when she gets passionate, watch out!

Best Supporting Actor in a Youth Production

Ellis Bradley. Father/Uncles in Salad Days. Footlights Youth Theatre. A clever turn in the multiple roles.

Oliver Norman and Harry Pudwell. Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls. RicNic Hampshire. A wonderful double act, whose duo was a notable moment in the show.

Josh Henderson. Marius in Les Misérables. Footlights Youth Theatre. A wonderfully sung and touching performance.

James Bratby. Dad in I love you mum and I promise I won’t die. Oasis Youth Theatre. James brought immense gravitas and dignity to the role.

Theodore James. Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. Theodore had the right mix of charisma, charm and bravado as the Pirate King.

Owen Hawes. Burt Barry in 42nd Street. Performing Arts Company. Owen stole his scenes with tremendous comic skill.

Best Supporting Actress in a Youth Production

Georgina Hendry. Police Sergeant in The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. Georgina was just perfect, the bravest, funniest and most endearing police sergeant.

Jessi Wright. Mrs. Blitztein in Blitz! Stage One. Jessi pretty much stole the limelight whenever on stage.

Natasha Thomas. Mum in I love you mum and I promise I won’t die. Oasis Youth Theatre. Natasha was truly impressive in the role.

Ella McCurry. Troppo in Salad Days. Footlights Youth Theatre. Ella had great stage presence and made her mark despite having no spoken lines.

Jenni Walker. Rizzo in Grease. Encore Youth Theatre. Jenni gave a barnstorming performance, really tearing up the stage as the rebellious Rizzo.

Chloe Johnson. Vi in Footloose. Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre. An outstanding performance of maturity and depth.

Best Supporting Actor in a Shakespeare Play

Sean Kimber. Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor. The Villagers Open Air Drama Group. Lovably ludicrous as the quirky French doctor.

Kyle Fraser. Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Titchfield Festival Theatre. An engagingly strong and laid-back performance.

Dan Fox. Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titchfield Festival Theatre. A full-on Cockney geezer spirit.

Charlie Randall. Stephano in The Tempest. Southampton University Student’s Union Theatre Group. (SUSU). Had all the laughs with his inebriated antics and flawless comic timing.

Kyle O’Reilly. The Princess of Morocco and Aragon in The Merchant of Venice. Titchfield Festival Theatre. An amusing and promising debut, handling both parts with confidence.

Best Supporting Actress in a Shakespeare Play

Lucy Whiteman. Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Winchester Musicals and Opera Society.

Sarah Parnell. Paulina in The Winter’s Tale. Southsea Shakespeare Actors. A memorably determined, faithful Paulina.

Hannah Marks. Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Lyndhurst Music & Drama Society. A well-intentioned, bumptious East End spirit.

Helen Haines. Princess of France in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Titchfield Festival Theatre. Wonderfully playful and beautifully spoken.

Best Lighting, Sound and Effects

Tony Lawther. Robin Hood. Chesil Theatre. Ambitious and perfectly executed in this outdoor setting.

John Benson and Jack Learmonth. Wind In The Willows. Redlynch Players. Fantastic projection and silhouettes, enhanced by some skilful lighting.

David Cowley. Metamorphosis. Maskers Theatre Company. The exciting lighting design added to the simple set, white background and restrained but effective use of music.

Mark Ward, Steve Brown and Bernard Dunleavy. The 39 Steps. Sway Drama Club. Helped move the story along and even got a few laughs.

Joel Powney (lighting) and George Cotterill (sound). Toad of Toad Hall. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Worked perfectly on the Studio Theatre stage.

Beki Gregory. A Midsummer Night's Dream Winchester Musicals and Opera Society. Beautifully lit throughout adding much magic to this production.

Best Choreographer

Kim Majczak. Anything Goes. Fareham Musical Society. Superbly energetic and inventive.

Zoe Blackall. West Side Story. Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society. Her routines were the over-riding memories from the show.

Ruthie Pinion. Freelancers. SUSU Showstoppers. Innovative movement throughout in a small space.

Harry Andreou. Hot Mikado. RAODS. Inventive choreography excellently delivered.

Christina Finn. The A to Z of Musicals. SJ Theatre Productions. Directed a stunning range of dance routines.

Nick Brannam. Legally Blonde. Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society. The multi-talented cast delivered impressively.

Best Opera or Musical

Betty Blue Eyes. CCADS. This was quite simply a ‘crackling’ good show!

Legally Blonde. Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society. The standing ovation was affirmation of the quality.

Anything Goes. Fareham Musical Society. A vibrant show that ticked all the boxes.

Spamalot. Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions. A very funny, excellently performed, production.

Into The Woods. CCADS. A lengthy, thought-provoking, show of outstanding quality.

Hot Mikado. RAODS. A great show that displayed much to admire. Hot stuff.

Best Musical Director

Trevor Defford. West Side Story. Basingstoke Amateur Operatic Society. Did full justice to the beautiful score.

Nigel Finch. The Pirates of Penzance. Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society. The excellent string section further enhanced their performance.

Fiona Willsher. The Mikado. Southampton Operatic Society. Set the bar high for the players to emulate.

Louise Helyer. Into The Woods. CCADS. Absolutely top notch and atmospheric.

James Stead. Spamalot. Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions. The orchestra well and truly hit the spot.

Peter Theobald. A Midsummer Night's Dream. Winchester Musicals and Opera Society. Beautifully written and interpreted music for this new Regency adaption.

Best Actor in a Drama

John-Paul McCrohon, Randle P. McMurphy in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. CCADS. One of the most impressive, atmospheric, performances I’ve ever seen.

James George. The BFG in The BFG. Hum Drum. He handed the unique dialogue fluently, and filled it with meaning.

Mikey Palmer. Ned Weekes in The Normal Heart. Hum Drum. Portrayed both subtlety and strength of emotion in this hard-hitting drama.

Jonathan Barney-Marmont. Gregor in Metamorphosis. Maskers Theatre Company. As the hard-working young man who was turned into a dung beetle, he created the necessary illusion with simple body movements, sometimes rearing up in anger or pain.

Neil Gwynne, Landlord and others in Two. RAODS. Portrayed the landlord and other characters, including a domineering, unpredictable husband.

Alan Welton. Carr and Mr Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables. Bench Theatre. Shows the kindly character and bemusement of this likeable dual role.

Best Actress in a Drama

Kerry McCrohon. Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. CCADS. So chilling a portrayal you shivered sitting a metre away.

Diana Thomas. Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden. RAODS. She threw herself into the part and played it to perfection.

Rachel O'Neill. Juno in Juno and the Paycock. Chesil Theatre. A fine performance as O'Casey's self-sacrificing heroine.

Rachel Wells. Madame Ranevskaya. The Cherry Orchard. West Meon Theatre. A luminous performance as a woman who is admired by all but harbours a private heartbreak.

Tasmin Halford. Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables. Bench Theatre. Gave a perfect performance as Anne.

Beverley Siddle. Landlady and others in Two. RAODS. Portrayed the feisty Landlady and other characters including, most movingly, a downtrodden wife.

Best Actor in a Musical

John-Paul McCrohon. Gilbert Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes. CCADS. Was predictably assured as the Yorkshire chiropodist.

John-Paul McCrohon. The Baker in Into The Woods. CCADS. Excelled both dramatically and vocally.

David Tatnall & Shaun Dodimead as Max Bialystock and Leopold Bloom in The Producers. Pocket Theatre. They made a superb, inseparable, double-act with impeccable comedy-timing.

Mark Everitt. King Arthur in Spamalot. Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions. Gave a right royal performance.

Joseph Wright. Artie Kipps in Half A Sixpence. Southampton Operatic Society. Dominated the stage throughout every scene.

Stuart Frank. Jerry in The Full Monty. Fareham Musical Society. With the energy of ten men, he needed no ‘helping hand’.

Best Actress in a Musical

Imogen Johnson. Sherrie in Rock of Ages. Music Theatre South. She displayed a great voice and stage presence.

Helen Stoddart. Rita O’Grady in Made In Dagenham. South Downe Musical Society. A top of the range performance.

Beth Marshal. Reno in Anything Goes. Fareham Musical Society. She showed herself to be a very talented triple-threat.

Laura Newborough. Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society. A really excellent showing in the title role.

Kerry McCrohon. Joyce Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes. CCADS. A predictably classy performance.

Sue Rourke. The Witch in Into The Woods. CCADS. She was absolutely spellbinding.

Best Actor in a Comedy or Comic Drama

David Cradduck. Cooper in A Month Of Sundays. Cheriton Players. Guided the play with a veneer of acerbic wit, masking a visceral sadness.

Vic Milne. Father in A Voyage Around My Father. Lyndhurst Drama and Musical Society. First-rate.

Steve Reading. Gordon in Neville’s Island. Porchester Players. Hilarious as the caustic Gordon.

Rupert Van Den Bogaerde. Son in A Voyage Around My Father. Rupert conveys the story with sincerity and tenderness.

Glynn Williams. Eric Swann in Cash on Delivery. Cheriton Players. Increasingly ludicrous and hilarious as the fraudulent claimant.

Kevin Murdoch, Mr Toad in Toad of Toad Hall. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Quite a sight to see.

Best Actress in a Comedy or Comic Drama

Jeanette Broad. Aunt Augusta in Travels With My Aunt. Hum Drum. Irrepressible and formidable.

Sally Hartley. Susan in Woman In Mind. Bench Theatre. She skilfully commands the stage.

Kerry Butcher. Nell Gwynn in Nell Gwynn. RAODS. Butcher dazzled as the feisty slattern.

Katherine Evans. Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. Maskers Theatre. Probably the most mature performance of her impressive am dram career.

Kristina Wilde. Rose in Di & Viv & Rose. Maskers Theatre Company. Just one of three excellent performances, but particularly memorable as the foolish, feckless, irresistibly warm and enthusiastic Rose.

Julia Mantell. Pamela and others in The 39 Steps. Chesil Theatre. Played three women involved in the mystery, with a good sense of character and some wit.

Best Actor in a Youth Production

Chris Campbell. Winston Smith in 1984. A Company of Fools, Peter Symonds. An impressive performance of subtlety and depth.

Tide Aleshinloye. Prince in Mermaid. Mountbatten School. A regal and wonderfully assured performance.

Cameron Alexander. Rusty in Starlight Express. Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre. Sang the role to perfection.

Joseph Lukehurst. Nathan in Guys and Dolls. RicNic Hampshire. Joseph gave a performance of great wit and easy charm.

Elliott Swann. Ugly in Honk. Fareham Musical Society Youth Theatre. Elliott gave a touching and well-judged performance.

Charlie Steggall. Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. Charlie was delightful in the role.

Best Actress in a Youth Production

Maddie Matthews. Francis Henshall in One Man, Two Guvnors. Thornden School. She interacted effortlessly with her fellow actors and the audience.

Grace Murray. Antler in Remote. Youth Theatre Royal, Winchester. Grace was truly impressive as Antler, the very embodiment of anxiety and uncertainty.

Darcy Finden. Scaramouche. We Will Rock You. Barton Peveril Sixth Form College. This was Scaramouche as she was made to be played.

Emily Pacey. Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. RicNic Hampshire. Emily endowed her character with steely comic magic.

Suzanne Poole. Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. Suzanne made you fall in love with Mabel.

Sasha Parker. Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. Young Theatre Royal, Winchester. Sasha had star quality, drawing the eye whenever she was on stage.

Best Actor in a Shakespeare Play

Andy Thomas and Rob Bartlett. Leontes and Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale. Southsea Shakespeare Actors. Outstanding.

Ian Wright. Sir John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor. The Villagers Open Air Drama Group. Handled the boisterous central character with relish.James Gould. Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing. Bishopstoke Players. An engagingly sun-tanned bachelor playboy.

Best Actress in a Shakespeare Play

Michelle Arkle. Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Lyndhurst Music & Drama Society. An amorous Abba-clad Fairy Queen.

Kate Robbins. Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Bishopstoke Players. A brassy Beatrice, all sun-tan and sunglasses.

Susie Coutts. Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. Southsea Shakespeare Actors. Totally believable as the wrongly-accused Queen.

Jenny Manwaring. Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Titchfield Festival Theatre. An impressive debut, formidable both in love and court.

Best Performance in a Pantomime

Dave Wilkins. Widow Twankey in Aladdin, Chameleon Theatre Company. A model of madcap humour.

Lisa Dunbar. Aladdin in Aladdin. Chameleon Theatre Company. Fast becoming a leading light.

Lee Poore. Kai in The Snow Queen. Burdock Valley Players. A lovely singing voice, he carried the show.

Steve McTaggart. King Rat in Dick Whittington. Burley Players. Truly scary, with children scampering to the safety of their parents.

Nicky Williams. Marigold in Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Otterbourne Village Hall Committee. Dippy Marigold was the brightest star.

Danny Jeffs. Silly Bill The Kid. Snow White and the Magnificent Seven Dwarves. Swanmore ADS. Maintained an impressively authentic Southern drawl throughout.

Best Pantomime

Aladdin. Chameleon Theatre Company. A good-looking, well performed show that pleased everyone.

Cinderella. Mountbatten Players. Looked and sounded great with a very talented cast.

The Snow Queen. Burdock Valley Players. The cast were bursting with personality and energy.

Pocket Panto. Dick Whittington. An object lesson in how panto should be done.

Best Set and Props

Roger Ness. Into The Woods, CCADS. Turned Ferneham Hall into an atmospheric forest.

Frank Varesi. Rising Damp. Titchfield Festival Theatre. A truly wonderful set with great attention to detail.

Alistair Faulkner, Rachel Fletcher, George Flemming, Jill Redston. The Ladykillers. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Some of the most impressive set and props ever seen in a small theatre.

Tim Greathead. Female Transport. Studio Theatre Salisbury. The many layered, precarious looking set design added to the often frenzied atmosphere of this piece.

All My Sons. John Witham and Terry Gray. RAODS. A splendid recreation of a 1940's suburban American home and back yard.

A Breath of Spring. West Moors Drama Society. An excellent and complex set on a small Memorial Hall stage.

Best Costumes

Rose Jeffrey, Brenda Austin and Lesley Preedy. Camelot The Panto. Swanmore Amateur Dramatic Society. The excellent costumes were designed and made by the company.

Allegra Carlton. Pygmalion. Maskers Theatre. The entire cast were appropriately and beautifully dressed.

Shirley Lovell and Alison Woolford. Wyrd Sisters. The Worthy Players. Sumptuous costumes.

Christine Lawrence. The Dresser. Titchfield Festival Theatre. Excellent costumes with Dave Lee's transition from exhausted actor 'Sir' to King Lear particularly memorable.

Val Greathead. Female Transport. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Well researched costumes helped transport the audience to the late eighteenth century.

Sheana Carrington and wardrobe team. Di & Viv & Rose. Maskers Theatre Company. Vivid costumes help reflect the life experiences of three women over thirty years.

Best Performance in an Opera

Caroline Taylor. Yum-Yum in The Mikado. Southampton Operatic Society. A stellar performance.

Katherine Evans. Patience in Patience. Pocket Theatre. An assured comic performance showcased her many talents.

Sarah Mulcare. Katisha in Hot Mikado. RAODS. Her sultry vocals effortlessly stole the second act.

Freya Burnside, Jo Short & Kerry Butcher. Three Little Maids in Hot Mikado. RAODS. All three sang and danced up a storm in their iconic roles.

Rebecca Woodhead. Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. Eastleigh Operatic & Musical Society. Her beautiful voice dominated every scene.

Mark Ponsford. Reginald Bunthorne in Patience. Pocket Theatre. He once again scored top marks.

Best Director of a Drama

John-Paul McCrohon. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. CCADS.

Sam Sampson. The BFG. Hum Drum. Superb ideas and direction creating a picture-perfect illusion.

Clair Whitaker. The Cripple of Inishmaan. RAODS. Elicited a good balance of humour and pathos and particularly well-acted performances.

Tim Greathead. Female Transport. Studio Theatre Salisbury. Created a lively atmosphere and made room for many excellent performances in this vivid depiction of life aboard a transport ship.

Mark Wakeman. Anne of Green Gables. Bench Theatre. Respectful of his source and actors.

Lyn Butcher. Two. RAODS. Took us from familiar comedy to a moving two handed drama.

Best Director of a Musical or Opera

John-Paul McCrohon. Betty Blue Eyes. CCADS. A predictably excellent highly enjoyable show.

Marina Voak. Anything Goes. Fareham Musical Society. Her vibrant production ticked all the boxes.

David Sandham. Spamalot. Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions. No cheap substitute, this was a gourmet meal.

John-Paul McCrohon. Into The Woods, CCADS. A faultless production with a strong visual sense.

Helen Stoddart. Grease, South Downe. Delivered a visually-appealing and dynamic show.

Harry Andreou. Hot Mikado. RAODS. Make full use of the talents of the triple-threats in his cast.

Best Director of a Comedy / Comic Drama

Will Johnson. Cash on Delivery. Burdock Valley Players. His vision paid off when delivering this frenetic farce.

Matthew Ellison. God of Carnage. RAODS. An all-round triumph.

Caz Gilmore. Travels With My Aunt. Hum Drum. A visionary director.

Kay Sumpner. Neville’s Island. Beautifully understated, with a simple set that allows the characters to shine.

Neil Gwynn. Nell Gwynn. RAODS. This historical retelling struck the perfect balance.

Paul Green. Di & Viv & Rose. Maskers Theatre Company. Engaged us in the relationship of three college girls with a deft comedic touch.

Best Director of a Youth Production

Marilitsa Alexiou. Phantom of The Opera. Perins School, Alresford. Every aspect of this production with a 110-strong cast was a credit to her.

Emma Clammer. We Will Rock You. Barton Peveril Sixth Form College. Emma brought a clear sighted vision to create a truly dynamic show of energy and style.

Olly Smith. 1984. A Company of Fools, Peter Symonds College. Olly Smith’s world of Big Brother was controlled, clever and chillingly realised.

Michael Ockwell. The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. Michael is a truly empathic interpreter, creating a show of wit, style and wonderful detail.

Faye Gould. Mermaid. Mountbatten School. Faye Gould created a show of sweeping lyrical charm and great power.

Alex Lonsdale. Guys and Dolls. RicNic Hampshire. Alex produced a fluid and beautifully sung show that was a delight.

Best Director of a Shakespeare Play

Peter Burton. Much Ado About Nothing. Bishopstoke Players. A bold production in the modern world of WAGS, paparazzi and tabloid gossip.

Nick Downes. The Winter’s Tale. Southsea Shakespeare Actors. A sublime production of jealousy, loss, penitence and reconciliation.

Paul King. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Titchfield Festival Theatre. Crammed with good things, greatly assisted by a company simply bursting with energy.

Youth Ensemble Award

Phantom Of The Opera. Perins School. A stunningly staged show with a young cast that impressed in every area.

We Will Rock You. Barton Peveril Sixth Form College. Anchored by strong performances from its 7 principals, this was one of the most striking and fun shows of the year.

1984. A Company of Fools, Peter Symonds College. A production of chilling style and substance.

Mermaid. Mountbatten School. A beautifully lyrical show with confident engaging performances.

The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. This was a five star show.

Guys and Dolls. RicNic Hampshire. A slick, attractive show with energy and colour.

Production of the Year

Into The Woods. CCADS. It was mistaken for the professional touring version.

Nell Gwynn. RAODS. Each actor played their part, supported by the production elements. In this fluid, funny and fantastic historical comedy.

Neville’s Island. Portchester Players. The pace and pith and slick performances are captivating and very funny indeed.

The Pirates of Penzance. Mayflower Productions Summer Youth Project. This is how theatre should be: a triumph from beginning to end.

Anne of Green Gables. Bench Theatre. A wonderfully warm and well-balanced production of this beloved book.

Female Transport. Studio Theatre Salisbury. A lively and well-produced version of this historic drama. ‘Piratically’ perfect in every way.