COUNTY PRESS AMATEUR THEATRE AWARDS

For eleven years John has been the adjudicator for the CP’s Amateur Theatre Awards. They were the first South Coast newspaper to undertake this idea which is a welcome boost for amateur theatre, which is particularly strong on the Isle of Wight.

In a full year from, September 1 to August 31, John normally sees over 50 amateur productions from small village hall shows to others at major Island theatres. In November the Gala Evening is held at the Shanklin Conservative Club with a packed full house of 250 people. There are 19 categories and John hosts the evening and invited guests present the winners with their trophies. In 2009 the principal surprise guests were actors John Woodvine and his wife Lynn Farleigh. They have made well over 500 television appearances between them.

John’s late wife, Heather, who died in 2006 from what was initially breast cancer, was a great inspiration and support for him over their 43 years of marriage. To honour this there is a CP Award named after her. She loved watching shows in tiny village halls and so the award is now The Heather Hannam Award for Best Village Production. In 2008 John’s daughter Caroline presented the award and in 2009 his son Sean also made the trip from London to present it.

If you have an amateur production on the Isle of Wight, with a run of at least 2 days or more, please contact John.