1st David Beach Youth Awards March 2026
- roger66948
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
1st David Beach Youth Awards at Batch Country House – 6 March 2026
Somerset Fellowship of Drama were delighted to host the first David Beach Youth Awards last night. Representatives from youth groups, societies & schools gathered together at the Batch Country House to celebrate all the amazing youth musicals that had entered the competition, across Somerset & just into Dorset, from December 24 to end November 25.
So many incredible shows, so blessed with such a wealth of talent, the chance for SFD to say a huge well done to all of them.
One very special new award was made, remembering a very special adjudicator, Linda Mumford, who finally lost her battle to cancer at the end of last year. The award, The Linda Mumford Award for Endeavour, went to CLOC Juniors, whose venue was flooded the week before the show but the show still went on! It was an honour to have Linda's husband & daughter with us to present the trophy.
Delighted to say we're already well into our new season & enjoying all the varied shows that have entered & those still to be seen. We are very lucky to have so much talent around us, looking forward to watching our ever-increasing numbers of entries.
List of Winners
Best Sound
Luke Adams - Six - BEES
Best Creative Lighting
Pete Tilke - Seussical Jr. - The Oppitts
Best Effects
Aladdin Jr. - Motiv8 Productions
Bright* Award for Technical Achievement
Legally Blonde - Clevedon School
Best Props
Grease- King Alfred School Academy
Best Stage Management
Lorna Robinson - Matilda - Nailsea Musicals
Best Set
Aladdin Jr. - Motiv8 Productions
Best Made Costumes
Lynn Lee Brown, Elaine Stafford and Sheila Timbrell – Cats - Castaway Theatre Group
Adjudicator's Award (Jadi Carlyon)
The Make Up Team – Cats - Castaway Theatre Group
Adjudicator's Award (Andy Marchant)
Disney-fication - Aladdin Jr. - Motiv8 Productions
Best Performer 13 & under
Margot Stanley - JoJo - Seussical Jr. - The Oppitts
Best Cameo (Joint Winners)
Freddie H - Freddie - We Will Rock You - PQA W-s-M and
Beatrice Noble - Sister Mary Theresa - Sister Act - CLOC Juniors
Best Supporting Female (Joint Winners)
Isabella Mckenzie - Wednesday Addams - The Addams Family - The Gryphon School and
Grace Stafford – Grizabella - Cats - Castaway Theatre Group
Best Supporting Male
Antony Ladd – Kenickie - Grease - King Alfred School Academy
Best Female in Lead
Hollie Young - The Cat in the Hat - Seussical Jr. - The Oppitts
Best Male in Lead
Jed Noble - Mr Warbucks – Annie - Oasis Theatre Minis
Adjudicator's Award (Penny Lambert)
Lady in the Long black dress - Sister Act - CLOC Juniors
Adjudicator's Award (Cathie Warner)
Willow Sowden (Sandy) – Annie - Oasis Theatre Minis
Showstopper
School Song – Matilda - Nailsea Musicals
Best Ensemble
We Will Rock You - PQA W-s-M
Challenge Award
Legally Blonde - Clevedon School
Best Choreography
Ethan Williams – Annie - Oasis Theatre Minis
Best Musical Direction (Joint Winners)
Kirsty Slater - We Will Rock You - PQA W-s-M (Backing Tracks) and
Kyle John & Ali Cupples – Grease - King Alfred School Academy (Live Band)
Best Direction
Sabrina Schwery – Annie - Oasis Theatre Minis
Linda Mumford Award
Endeavour - Sister Act - CLOC Juniors
Moderator’s Award (Dendy Harris)
When I Grow Up - Matilda Jr - Mark Theatre Group
Small Venue Award
The Addams Family - The Gryphon School
The David Beach Youth Trophy for Best Production (Runner Up) Aladdin Jr. - Motiv8 Productions
The David Beach Youth Trophy for Best Production
Matilda - Nailsea Musicals
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