Phoebe Rees Awards Night 2026

A record number of guests from across Somerset turned out last night (6 November) in all their finery to attend the annual Somerset of Drama Phoebe Rees Awards at Haselbury Mill. After an excellent dinner, Competition Moderator Robert Graydon and his team of Lynn Pearson, Helen Tompson and Niam McGrogan presented the Phoebe Rees Trophy and certificates to worthy winners. In addition, this year a number of individuals and drama groups were recognised by way of Special Commendations.

Winners are as follows:

Best Production – Ilminster Entertainments Society – Enchanted April (Special Commendation to Swan Theatre Company - Pressure)

Best non-theatre Production – Tickenham Drama Group – Amadeus

Best Director – Charlie Blanning – Wells Little Theatre – The 39 Steps

Best Female Actor – Sarah Martin – Wells Little Theatre – The 39 Steps (Special Commendation to Irene Glynn as Annie – @2K Theatre – Calendar Girls)

Best Male Actor – awarded jointly to Simon Vardakis as Salieri and James Lawbuary as Mozart – Tickenham Drama Group – Amadeus (Special Commendation to Ben Woof as Dr James Stagg – Swan Theatre Company – Pressure)

Best Supporting Female Actor – Lucinda Allenby as Elizabeth – Barnstomers  - Gaslight

Best Supporting Male Actor – Martyn Jessop as Clown 1 – Wells Little Theatre – The 39 Steps

Best Youth Under 21 - Hazel Perrett as Julie Jackson – Amateur Players of Sherborne – Pack of Lies

Best Youth Under 16 - awarded jointly to Immy Abraham as Jo March, Cecily Robinson as Amy March and Lucie Hardy as Beth March – Wells Little Theatre – Little Women

Best Set - Ilminster Entertainments Society - Home, I’m Darling (Special Commendation to @2K Theatre – Calendar Girls)

Best Stage Management - Wells Little Theatre – The 39 Steps

Best Creative Sound Design - Swan Theatre Company – Pressure (Special Commendations to Tickenham Drama Group – Amadeus and Wells Little Theatre – The 39 Steps)

Best Creative Lighting – Barnstormers – Gaslight (Special Commendation to Tickenham Drama Group – Amadeus)

Best Costumes – Civic Players – One Man, Two Guvnors

Best Effects – Swan Theatre Company – The Unfriend

Best Properties – Civic Players – One Man, Two Guvnors

Champagne Moment – Swan Theatre Company – Terra Nova

Best Production Non-Theatre Winners Tickenham Drama Group

Best Production Winners Ilminster Entertainment Society

Congratulations to all our winners and nominees. And a huge thank you to ALL our entrants this year for your continuing support of the Competition.