Operatic's successes in amateur stage Oscars

* Members of the Young who were successful

at the NODA Awards. From left,

Maia Malloy, Cassius Hackforth and Celyn Orton-Jones.

Llangollen Operatic has scored more successes in the amateur stage "Oscars".

A group of society representatives headed off to Hereford last weekend for the Wales and Ireland Regional Annual NODA Awards.

The ceremony is a popular event for am-dram societies.

The Operatic’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, landed the prize for Best Musical for its smash-hit production of Bugsy Malone.

For the same show Celyn Orton-Jones and Maia Malloy were both nominated for Best Supporting Performer Under 21 and Cassius Hackforth was nominated for Best Performer Under 21. Cassius walked away as category winner.

9 to 5 (co-produced by Robin Crowley and Alix Rawlinson, artistic direction by Robin Crowley, musical direction by Elen Mair Roberts) was nominated for Best Musical Theatre Production, Best Stage Management and Technical, Best Individual Performance - Helen Belton for the role of Violet Newstead, Brett Jones for his role as Franklin Hart Jr and Louisa Jones for Best Supporting Individual Performance for her role as Judy Bernly.

Helen, who produced the Operatic’s last hit show My Fair Lady, scooped the Special Achievement award but the Operatic narrowly missed out in the other categories.

A society spokesperson said: "It was great to be nominated in so many categories for a third consecutive year and a tribute to the phenomenal work that goes into these shows by the production team, cast and crew."

Pamela Williams, who was producer for Bugsy Malone, said: “We’re delighted to have been acknowledged in this way for the show.

“Now it’s on to our next production, which will be the musical Grease, and for this we need lots more teenage boys to join the cast.”