Quartet of regional awards for West Cumbrian am dram groups

Workington Amateur Operatic Society took home trophies in three of the eight categories they had been shortlisted in.

Waos Juniors' 2016 show Les Miserables took the titles for best ensemble and best staging of a youth production.

In the adult awards, Mark Stilwell won the trophy for best male comedy performance for his portrayal of Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray.

It was beaten to the best youth production title by Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society Next Generation production of Starlight Express.

Chloe Steadman, who played Madame Thenardier, was beaten to the best female youth comedy performance prize by Alicia Stroud of Royal T Drama Academy (CORR).

Andrew McMinn (Marius) missed out on the best supporting male actor in a youth musical prize, beaten by Cameron Bentley-Jones of Stage One 2000.

In the adult awards, Natasha McKenzie missed out on the best choreography prize, which went to to Elizabeth Linden of Mossley AODS, and Adam MacCreedy (Seaweed J Stubbs) was beaten to the best supporting male in a musical prize by Dave Stockton of A590 Theatre Company.

It was the first time the society had received eight nominations.

Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society won the best deluxe programme award for their Elf Junior programme.

Workington and District Amateur Musical Society were nominated in the best pantomime category for their production of Sleeping Beauty but the prize went to All Souls Dramatic Club for Peter Pan.

Mark said: "I'm absolutely thrilled with the award and I’m so lucky to have been surrounded by friends from both Waos and Wadams on the night of the NODAs.

"I've been to the awards the last couple of years to support friends who had been nominated and there's always a great atmosphere - never did I think for a minute I would win an award.

"Hairspray is a show I’ll certainly never forget and I feel that this award is for all of us at Waos. It's a huge honour that I think will take a while to sink in."