The egg theatre recently played host to the first Theatre Royal Bath TheatreSchool Award Ceremony, with special guest and patron, Ashley Jensen. The Bath-based star of Extras, in which she starred alongside Ricky Gervais and for which she was Emmy nominated, and ABC’s huge hit series Ugly Betty, has been a passionate supporter of the egg theatre’s work before being invited to become patron of the TheatreSchool last year.
The evening was a chance for all 200 members of the TheatreSchool, aged 5 – 18, to come together and celebrate individual and group achievements from 2016 – when productions included Shakespearean Cabaret; a promenade version of Antigone; Bedbug the Musical, which was also performed at the National Theatre; a new summer school project based on The Hound of the Baskervilles; a fright night horror tour backstage; and Ruins, a devised production looking at the future for the young people of Bath.
Awards voted for by members of all ages included Best Performance in a Dramatic Role, The Bath Audi Backstage Technical Achievement Award, The Secret Agent Award for Remaining Professional in a Crisis, and Best at Learning Names.
Two special awards were chosen by the egg theatre and TheatreSchool staff and announced on the night. The Ashley Jensen Award for Living by the TRBTS Ethos went to Katie Jordan, a member who always goes out of her way to befriend and welcome new members to the group. The Lee Lyford Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Theatre School Member went to Milo Morris, whose own original adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles was performed by a cast of more than 40 young people in the egg this summer.
The whole evening was a glamorous affair, with a red carpet entrance, photo booth and extracts from productions which had been performed by the TheatreSchool in 2016.
TRB TheatreSchool is an inclusive youth theatre that aims to give its members exceptional experiences as theatre-makers in a place of learning for professional theatre practice and personal development. Weekly sessions take place for various age groups between 5 and 18 years. To join please contact the egg reception on 01225 823409 or download an application pack from www.theatreroyal.org.uk
