First Timers Win HJ'09!

Whole Hog: left to right, Steve Sprosson, Matt Clift and Ryan Gilks Picture courtesy of Manor Photography

A group of friends – actors and directors – who entered HJ for the first time this year, won the competition and a clutch of very impressive awards as well!

Whole Hog Productions entered an unpublished play by Swindon-based writer, Chris Scott, called 'Directions'. It's a comedy of human indecision in which Albert and Bertram seek to glean clues which will point them in the right direction for their trip, their lives and their universe. The only help they get is from the intrusion of the Colonel, an old friend and his imaginary world.

Congratulations to the Whole Hog crew:

Cast

Albert	Ryan Gilks
Bertram	Steve Sprosson
Colonel	Matthew Clift

Crew

Director	Phil Regan
Set	Terry Hall

Whole Hog: Director, Phil Regan accepts the winner's trophy from Swindon's Deputy Mayor, Cllr David Wren Picture courtesy of Manor Photography

Mike Kaiser, the adjudicator at HJ'09, saw fit to award Whole Hog not only Best Play but also Best Actor (shared between Steve Sprosson and Ryan Gilks) and Best Supporting Actor to Matthew Clift.

Runners Up

Coming in as very respectable runners up, were last year's winners, Old Town Theatre Company. Their play, 'Nobody Knows I'm a Dog' by A D Perkins, was very well received by the appreciative audience on the final night of the festival.

Success for Newcomers

Another success story was that of Shout Productions from Swindon College. Director, Doug Kirby and his fellow students accepted a challenge to find, cast, rehearse and stage a one act play in just two weeks!

They did just that, opening HJ'09 with their entertaining thriller, 'Cast Spell' by G L Horton. The adjudicator recognised their achievement by awarding them the The June Thompson Memorial Cup for Dramatic Endeavour, and Dean Faggoa's portrayal of Greg, won him The Beryldene Hunt Cup for the Best Performance by a Junior Actor.

OTTC: left to right, Abbi Gething, Nancy Heath, Julian Smith, Joshua Foyster, Richard Large and David Howell Picture courtesy of Manor Photography

HJ'09 saw an overall entry of nine plays, including three newcomers to our stage. The third new company to enter was Danuki Theatre. Their original piece by its director, Dan-Alex, was 'Ever the Better Ego'; a surreal piece of experimental theatre. This performance earned Danuki the Matthew Herring Award for Technical Achievement.

The Festival Director's View

Shout Productions: left to right, Dean Faggoa, Alice Steele, Victoria Claridge, Zoilitta Brown, Chris Bastin, Shani Corder, Jennifer Reeves Picture courtesy of Manor Photography

Festival Director, Ashley Heath, says he pleased that another festival has gone off so well.

"HJ'09 certainly presented its challenges but once again proved that more people are interested in seeing, or taking part in quality drama at our festival.

"I'd also like to thank our sponsors and partners for their continued help – in the teeth of a recession – in supporting our event and helping to ensure that we're back next year for another varied mix of entertainment!"

Full Results

For a full list of award winners for HJ'09 please see 2009 Results.