One of our editors has written about the enduring power of local amateur theatre after compering an annual awards night.
Regional Editor Liz Davies wrote about the continued impact of community theatrical groups having hosted the A4B awards in Abergavenny.
Held for the first time this year in their new venue at St Mary’s Priory Centre, the awards celebrate the finest performances of the many amateur theatre companies which make their home at the town’s Borough Theatre including AAODS, AAODS Juniors, Abergavenny Pantomime Company, Abergavenny Star Players, Abergavenny Theatre Group, Forget Me Not Productions and Theatre Workshop Cymru.
Liz wrote: “Over the course of my thirty something years of reviewing local theatre I’ve developed a fairly thick skin although now and again something makes me want to hang up my note book and abandon the theatre for something calmer…like reporting from a war zone.
“But then, I’m reminded of how important the arts – and local amateur theatre in particular – are and how being involved can shape the lives of young people.
“This was brought home in stark reality on Saturday night when I compered the annual A4B awards which recognises the top amateur performances from the Borough Theatre’s ‘home’ companies.”
Enjoying arts
In her article Liz explained that many of the finalists were performers who were “adults who I had started reviewing when they were knee high to a grasshopper”.
She wrote: “Slowly all those who were left in the room as midnight approached, stopped what they were doing and listened as a group of young people took to the stage to sing ‘One Day More’ from Les Miserables.
“Slowly others – some not quite as young – joined in with the singing as the piece reached its climax and it suddenly dawned on me – this is what all of us who are involved in A4B and other arts organisations, do it for.
“Times are tough in the arts world and over the past few years we seem to have spent more time battling the authorities and fighting for every inch of ground we can gain than we have actually enjoying the arts but when magical moments like this happen it all suddenly seems worthwhile.
“We do it so that in another 30 odd years the children of those youngsters belting out Les Mis, will still have a stage in Abergavenny where they can sing, dance and learn to love the arts.”