THE Regal Film Society has won an award following its introduction of live screening from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Society chairman Victoria Thomas and trustee Martin Smith, who leads the technical team, were at London’s Soho Hotel to receive the award for Best New Venue from More2Screen, the distribution company which handles the licensing for live screenings from the Royal Opera House.

The society, based at the Regal Theatre, Minehead, won the award because its box office returns for the first season of Royal Opera House live screenings were exceptionally high, with ticket sales averaging 250 across the season.

Among the live performances of opera and ballet were Swan Lake, Tosca and Rigoletto.

It is now almost certain that the society will be able to go ahead with a second season of live offerings from the Royal Opera House, and it hopes to be able to confirm screening dates in the next few weeks.

“We were delighted to receive the award from More2Screen”, said Victoria. “But it’s down to the support for live screenings from the local community, for which we’re very grateful.”