Viva Arts & Community Annual Awards Ceremony in Soham

On Sunday March 17, youth and adult members of the Viva Arts and Community Group were joined by stars from the stage and screen, along with local dignitaries.

They gathered at the glittering annual awards ceremony in order to celebrate the achievements of the community theatre group.

250 members, trustees, presidents, patrons, civic guests, dignitaries, industry celebrities and supporters gathered at the invitation of Viva founder and chair Daniel Schumann DL.

He said: “In a world of celebrity and fighting for the spotlight, it’s wonderful to see that here at Viva there is a genuine sense of ensemble, lets face it, the sky would be a very dark place with only one star.

“Viva is a demonstration of how much can be achieved via the power of a community, a team or, in theatre terms, an ensemble.

 “At Viva, everyone works together each playing their part, supporting each other and lending their talents to the greater good.”

Special guest, four time Olivier-Award winning star of musicals, stage and screen, Maria Friedman, presented several awards

These included:

• Best Supporting Actor: Geoff Fisher
• Young Actress of the Year: Ena Reynolds
• Rising Star of Viva's Youth Saturday School: Libby Kent
• Best Actress Award: Kerry Hibbert
• Triple Threat Award: Emily Thompson

Maria was in awe not only of the talent at Viva but also in the kindness shown within the Viva family.

Viva’s vice-president and musical theatre and screen star Linda John-Pierre presented the award for the Youth Theatre Member of the Year to Rhys Bowman for their kindness, dedication and inclusivity.

The Prize for Dance went to Rori Saxby, the Best Ensemble to Sarah Boor, and the Best Supporting Youth Actress to Effie Seal.

Linda also gave an outstanding and fitting performance of Ella Fitzgerald’s 'God Bless the Child'.

Founding patron Sir James Paice presented Vicki Fordham with this year's Stella Award for her support on and off stage, and the Best Actor Award to George Nolan.

Viva’s amazing president and star of stage and screen Liza Goddard joined direct from the West End and touring production of Noises off to present the Sheila Steafel Comedy Award to Jodie Corbett.

She also presented the Sir John Baird award for Best Young Actor to Alfie McCreadie, the Mike Rouse Award for Outstanding Performance by a new member to Rosie Wells.

Her own Comedy Award for Youth went to Iris Cox-Watson and she also presented Viva’s founder and chairman Daniel Schumann’s Award for Dedication and Commitment to Holly Pryke.

His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence OBE QPM, presented the Unsung Hero Award to Penny Minns for her dedication to youth theatre and chaperoning.

She also presented the Trustees Award for Leadership to Michael Heslop.

The High Sherriff of Cambridgeshire, Dr Bharat Khetani, presented Amanda Aldridge with the Backstage Award.

We were also joined by Viva Patron and Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Jennifer Crompton DL, who presented the award to one of Viva's youngest members, Violet Pridemore.

Viva patron and Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Christopher Walkinshaw, DL presented awards for the best youth ensemble to Sophia Flack.

The Hon. Frances Stanley, DL, Deputy Lieutenant and Viva Patron presented James Wood with the Award for Special Contribution to Youth Theatre.

Honorary Life Vice-President Gordon Smart presented Matilda Clifford with the Junior member of the Year Award.

Viva patron and BBC screenwriter Richard Spendlove MBE also attended to present his Director of the Year Award to Judith Collingswood.

The awards celebrated Viva’s productions of Seussical JR. The Darling Buds of May, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Murder on the Nile, Legally Blonde and the group's most recent production of Stranger Sings.

Their next production in April will be Thornton Wilder’s Play Our Town.