NODA Awards 2023
Click here for details of our awards
Star Achievement Award
Each year we present the Star Achievement Award.
This is given to a person who has been outstanding on stage and given their all to the society.
The recipient this year has featured in many of our shows including The Producers, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Boogie Nights, Copa Cabana, The Wedding Singer and as a principal in Sunset Boulevard, Spelling Bee and Company.
It gives us great pleasure in awarding the Southport Spotlights Star Achievement Award to Phil Hunter.
Pictured - Elizabeth Allwright (President) with Phil Hunter
The Pauline Holt Award
Stephen & James Hughes-Alty, Peter & Rob McGregor-Forshaw introduced the Pauline Holt award many years ago to recognise the sterling work that is done backstage, off-stage and front of house, without which, the shows would simply not go on.
This year’s winner has actually won it before but we thought it would be terribly remiss of us not to recognise the incredible work that Sue Palmer has contributed to the success of the society over the many years she was a member. Sadly, Sue took her final curtain in 2024.
Stephen first met Sue when he was cast in BOS’ production of ‘Meet Me in St Louis’. He was Lonny, the wayward son whilst Sue played Katie, our Irish housemaid. Before long, they were good friends and she joined James and Stephen at the SDC Youth Theatre where she mothered all of the young members, making sure they were looked after, supported and had a steady supply of juice and biscuits. It is fair to say she also mothered Stephen, supported him and, of course, supplied him with biscuits too.
She served as chaperone, prompt, prop maker, understudy and confidant. Much of the youth theatre’s success was down to her patience, dedication and caring nature.
In his time at Spotlights, Sue has been there to read in, listen to his moaning, (I know it’s hard to believe that he’d ever moan) prompt and help with microphones for the week of the show. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Therefore, not just for her hard work on our last production ‘Company’ but for all her work with Spotlights over many, many years, we would like to give the Pauline Holt Award to Sue Palmer or SuPa as she was affectionately known.
Laura-Jane, collected this award on her mum’s behalf. And know how grateful we are for the support she gave and how much she will be fondly remembered. Here she is pictured with Elizabeth Allwright - President.
NODA Awards for Sunset Boulevard
Congratulations to the fabulous Stephen Hughes-Alty who won ‘Best Director of a musical’ for Sunset Boulevard at 2023 NODA Awards. The cast of Sunset Boulevard also won ‘Best Chorus in a musical’.
Stephen is pictured with the awards and our President Elizabeth Allwright.
NODA Win for Rob Macgregor
Spotlights are affiliated with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).
Each amateur show performance is visited by the NODA area representative. Their thoughts on the show are integral to the selection process of the annual regional awards, which took place recently.
We are pleased to announce that our very own Rob MacGregor was awarded Best Director of a Musical for "Funny Girl"
at the recent annual NODA awards.
Well done Rob, you deserve it.
