Village group scoops award from national drama association

HOLT Players, a small village dramatic society founded more than 50 years ago, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s (NODA) District Award for two productions last year.

Trap for a Lonely Man, an edge-of-the-seat thriller directed by Simon Welch and the poignant Entertaining Angels, the story of a clergy widow and her grief, directed by the chair of the group, Kate Palmer, were two very different plays each performed on the small village hall stage.

“The plays were performed with great success,” says Fiona Drysdale, a member of the group.

“It was the space limitations of the stage and the enthusiastic teamwork both onstage and behind it, that were recognised by Dee Way, the outgoing NODA representative for Bath and North Wiltshire District.” 

Summing up her reasons for making this award, Dee Way said, “This village company, performing in a small village hall, has staged two outstanding plays in 2023. The range of style and intricacy of their productions makes for great theatre, as characters within characters have demonstrated.  

“However, it is the cohesion of the company and the various departments working together that creates believable sets for intriguing dramas, enabling the actors to show the depth and variety of characters that are needed. Congratulations!” 

Fiona said, “Praise indeed for everyone involved. From the actors, directors, producers and stage managers, to set design and build, light and sound, props, furniture, costumes and make-up, not forgetting publicity and programme design, front-of-house teams and of course the bar staff!” 

Chair of the group, Kate Palmer said,  “In my role as chair of Holt Players, I am thrilled and very proud that we have received the District Award from NODA. It certainly makes all our hard work worthwhile. As one of the directors involved, I know how important it is that every aspect of putting on a play is recognised. We might be village-based, but we have a wealth of talent to call upon and we are so grateful to see all elements of our two latest productions praised in this way. Thank you, NODA.” 

The next production by this award-winning company will be The Seven Ages of Mankind. “A highly original and sometimes riotous trip through life from cradle to grave as seen by William Shakespeare himself, performed in Holt Village Hall from Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th April,” says Fiona. 

Tickets are available from Wiltshire Music Centre box office www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk