HISTORY was made by Minehead Panto People at this year’s Somerset Fellowship of Drama (SFD) Cinderella awards as the group took a slew of prizes on Friday (May 16).

The group entered Alan Frayne’s Sleeping Beauty for the annual awards, which are open to any Somerset amateur drama group producing a pantomime.

Entries have to be an original script generated for the purpose of the performance and not previously published.

Sleeping Beauty director Darcy Ahern won the ‘Director of the Year’ award, the first time it had ever gone to Minehead in the 51-year history of the competition.

And Darcy became its youngest ever winner at the age of 22 years.

Darcy, who runs a dance school in Minehead, has been involved with Minehead Panto People from a young age, and has worked up through the ranks from principal dancer, to choreographer, and now, director.

Uniquely, nominations for the awards are not announced in advance, which makes it a surprise when they are revealed on the night.

Minehead Panto People was among 22 entries from across the county and the Batch Country House, in Lympsham, was packed with 260 attendees awaiting the results.

When the announcements came, they came thick and fast for the Minehead group with 25 nominations and four wins, making it one of the most successful years in the history of Minehead Panto People’s involvement in the Cinderella competition.

Show producer Lorraine Ahern sad: “The show had wowed local audiences with its cute rainbow fairies, brilliantly designed turning tower, dazzling shadow forest of thorns, and larger than life characters.

“The acid test was whether it had impressed the judges of the Cinderella competition, who had seen all the entries across the county, and deemed them to of be a very high standard this year.”

Youth categories were the first of the night and saw Ruby Cunningham win best junior female singer, Noah Antonelli take best junior supporting character, and Charlie Bonar triumph as best junior linkman.

Nominations were also received for the technical aspects and for the adult performance categories, including best dame’s entrance, best theatre design, and best choreography.

Ms Ahern said: “It is testament to all the unsung heroes who support the production team behind the scenes, parents, chaperones, set painters and designers, volunteers, and front of house teams.

“It really is a tribute to community theatre, and augurs a bright future for our young people in amateur dramatics locally.”

The Cinderella Trophy this year went to Wellington Pantomime Society for its Jack and the Beanstalk.

A spokesperson for SFD, which has more than 80 member societies producing plays, pantomimes, and musicals, said: “Our mission is to ensure that amateur drama is alive and well in Somerset and that all members have access to the best resources possible to help them develop their skills and grow.

“We strive to create a vibrant and inclusive community of people who share a passion for performance.”

SFD also runs a training scheme to encourage and help training and development for amateurs in member groups.