Newport Playgoers Society Success At 2019 NODA Awards

The annual NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) awards took place at The Three Counties Hotel in Hereford on June 15, 2019. The event featured several nominations and award successes for Newport Playgoers Society as well as other Newport-based societies.

NODA which was founded in 1899, currently includes over 2,000 society members and over 1,000 individual enthusiasts staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in venues country-wide ranging from leading professional theatres to village halls.

Each year, a NODA representative nominates in several categories. Best drama, musical, adult and junior, pantomime. Best performance in youth and adult drama and musical theatre and best supporting actor in the same category. There is also stage management and technical, special achievement, for those not performing, and a nomination for a Regional Councillor Award.


BEST DRAMA PRODUCTION: Liz Keech, Jes Hynes, Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose display the award for Best Drama Production of Newport Playgoers presentation of  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  which ran at the Dolman Theatre, Newport during October 2018.BEST DRAMA PRODUCTION: Liz Keech, Jes Hynes, Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose display the award for Best Drama Production of Newport Playgoers presentation of  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  which ran at the Dolman Theatre, Newport during October 2018.

BEST DRAMA PRODUCTION: Liz Keech, Jes Hynes, Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose display the award for Best Drama Production of Newport Playgoers presentation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde which ran at the Dolman Theatre, Newport during October 2018.

Newport Playgoers NODA Success

  • Newport Playgoers Society appeared in several award categories for productions which played as part of the Playgoers 2018-19 season.

  • Jes Hynes won the award for Best Individual Performance Drama in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. Steve Saunders also received a nomination for Cider with Rosie.

  • Nikki Davies won the award for Best Supporting Individual Performance Drama for Cider with Rosie. Liz Keech also received a nomination for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in this category.

  • Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde won the award for Best Drama Production, while Cider with Rosie was also nominated in this category.

  • Other nominations at the NODA awards for Newport Playgoers Society included Charlie Turner in Cider with Rosie for Best Youth Performer (21 Years and Under) while both Cider with Rosie and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde also received nominations for Best Stage Management and Technical.


BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE DRAMA: Jes Hynes won the award for his role as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in Newport Playgoers presentation of  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE DRAMA: Jes Hynes won the award for his role as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in Newport Playgoers presentation of  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE DRAMA: Jes Hynes won the award for his role as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in Newport Playgoers presentation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

NODA Success For Additional Newport-Based Groups

  • Other Newport-based groups that saw success at the 2019 NODA awards were Newport Pantomime Juniors who won the award for Best Pantomime with Rapunzel. New Ventures Players won best for Stage management while Keegan Price won the award for Best Supporting Youth.

  • Director of New Venture Players, Young Venture Players and Mini Venture Players, Gordon Collins also received the Regional Councillor Award for over 30 years’ service to musical theatre and for his work encouraging young people.


As well as appearing in the Best Drama Production, Liz Keech also received a nomination for Best Supporting Individual Performance in Newport Playgoers’  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde .As well as appearing in the Best Drama Production, Liz Keech also received a nomination for Best Supporting Individual Performance in Newport Playgoers’  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde .

As well as appearing in the Best Drama Production, Liz Keech also received a nomination for Best Supporting Individual Performance in Newport Playgoers’ Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.


Charlie Turner received a nomination for Best Youth Performer (21 Years and Under) for his role in Newport Playgoers presentation of  Cider With Rosie.  Charlie is pictured here receiving the award for Best Supporting Individual Performance Drama for C ider with Rosie . on behalf of Nikki Davies.Charlie Turner received a nomination for Best Youth Performer (21 Years and Under) for his role in Newport Playgoers presentation of  Cider With Rosie.  Charlie is pictured here receiving the award for Best Supporting Individual Performance Drama for C ider with Rosie . on behalf of Nikki Davies.

Charlie Turner received a nomination for Best Youth Performer (21 Years and Under) for his role in Newport Playgoers presentation of Cider With Rosie. Charlie is pictured here receiving the award for Best Supporting Individual Performance Drama for Cider with Rosie. on behalf of Nikki Davies.


SUCCESS AT THE DOUBLE!: Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose appeared in the Best Drama Production in two districts! District 7 for  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  with Newport Playgoers, and District 3 for  Blood Brothers  a play with Concept Players .SUCCESS AT THE DOUBLE!: Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose appeared in the Best Drama Production in two districts! District 7 for  Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde  with Newport Playgoers, and District 3 for  Blood Brothers  a play with Concept Players .

SUCCESS AT THE DOUBLE!: Stephen Hopkins and Cathryn Rose appeared in the Best Drama Production in two districts! District 7 for Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde with Newport Playgoers, and District 3 for Blood Brothers a play with Concept Players.


Newport Playgoers member Ellie Hoare won Best Supporting Individual Performance Musical Theatre for District 3, in  Merrily We Roll Along , with The Concept Players. (Photo Courtesy of Helen Windsor).Newport Playgoers member Ellie Hoare won Best Supporting Individual Performance Musical Theatre for District 3, in  Merrily We Roll Along , with The Concept Players. (Photo Courtesy of Helen Windsor).

Newport Playgoers member Ellie Hoare won Best Supporting Individual Performance Musical Theatre for District 3, in Merrily We Roll Along, with The Concept Players. (Photo Courtesy of Helen Windsor).

  • Photos by Jes Hynes, Stephen Hopkins and Liz Keech

  • Thankyou to Liz Keech and Sharon Davies for their assistance in putting this feature together.

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