The Newcastle Glees Musical Society is celebrating the news that one of its members won a prestigious award at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) Awards in Cardiff on Saturday night.
Bryansford’s Orla Russell won the award for her role as ‘Miss Adelaide’ in the society’s recent production of Guys and Dolls in March of this year. Orla won the award in the category of Outstanding Comedy Performance.
Orla told the Mourne Observer: “Being nominated for a NODA award for Miss Adelaide was a huge honour. It was a great privilege to be recognised alongside the other extremely talented people in the category. I made the decision to attend the awards in Newport and brought Sean, my husband, along to the event with me. The whole night was fantastic, full of excitement and appreciation for theatre, and it was great being there in person. Winning the award was so overwhelming. I was absolutely delighted and just grateful I was able to attend.”
The society also celebrated the fact that they were nominated eight times across five different categories. They were nominated for Best Show for Calendar Girls and Guys and Dolls, two Best Director nominations for Laura Kerr, who directed Calendar Girls and Guys and Dolls, a Best Actor nomination for Allen Gordon’s role of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, a Best Actress nomination for Emma Jane McKnight for her role as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, and Fiona Keegan was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Performance for her part as Cora in Calendar Girls.
Emma Nugent, chairperson for the Newcastle Glees, said: “I am incredibly proud that our last two productions, Guys and Dolls and Calendar Girls, have been nominated for a total of eight awards through the NODA awards scheme. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and talent of everyone involved – on stage and behind the scenes. These nominations not only celebrate our creative achievements but also highlight the strong sense of community and dedication that drives everything we do.
“Massive congratulations to Laura, Allen, Emma-Jane, and Fiona and also to the full company on the eight nominations we received. I am just so delighted for Orla on winning her individual award and couldn’t be more proud as her friend and chairperson of the society. Congratulations once again to the entire family of Newcastle Glees, in their special 75th anniversary year.”
NODA is the UK’s leading amateur theatre membership organisation and it exists to celebrate, connect, support and amplify amateur theatre and theatre groups across the UK.
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