Buxton Fringe honours for local acts

In a very competitive theatre category, the production award went to Titus Andronicus from Smooth Faced Gentlemen and Three’s Company, winning for the second year running.

Titus Andronicus also collected the new John Beecher Memorial Award, presented in memory of the historian, writer and Fringe supporter John Beecher to recognise original, challenging work with high production values.

Acting awards went to Sian Weedon for Jordan and Liam King for The Zoo Story, while Mark Reid picked up the new writing accolade for intense drama, The Gambit.

In youth theatre, the awards went to local group REC Youth Theatre Company’s two shows; Red Red Shoes winning the production award, and Siobhan Piercy getting the young actor prize for Pan-o-rama.

There were local winners in many of the categories: stone and water’s Return of the Tiny! Pirates, the Buxton Food and Drink Fair, Buxton Drama League’s Shakespeare Jukebox, Litton Poetry Festival and Buxton Film’s Open Shorts.

In the music category, Derbyshire City & County Youth Orchestra received the large ensemble prize for their summer concert; K’antu Ensemble scooped the award for a small ensemble in the classical tradition with Sounds & Songs of Renaissance Europe, whereas small ensemble in world music went to Africa Entsha and their Golden Voices of the Township. Other awards went to flautist Rachel Johnson and vocalist Sara Whichelow.

Sue Prince won the event prize in the visual arts category for Painted Tales at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, while the artist award went to Amanda Cirillo for her work Civic Engagement at the Derbyshire Open.

In comedy, Wes Zaharuk collected the individual award for Perfectly Bananas, and the show award went to Morgan and West for A Grand Adventure. Brick Wall Ensemble collected the dance award for A Rose by Another Name, and the music festival at St Peter’s Church received the spirit of the fringe prize.

Details of all the nominations and winners can be found at www.buxtonfringe.org.uk.