Thetford Players win Best Pantomime Award at the NODA awards

The Thetford Players have been awarded the Best Pantomime Award for its 2023 production of Puss in Boots.

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awarded the Thetford Players for their theatrical skills and sisters Maddie Stebbings and Frankie Soan for their script.

The NODA ceremony took place on April 7 at Trinity Park, Ipswich, with a 10-person delegation representing Thetford Players.

Sisters Maddie Stebbings and Frankie Soan wrote and directed the production (Image: Submitted)

The sisters distinguished themselves by lending their writing, directing, and musical talents to Puss in Boots.

Ms Soan filled the role of director, helping the cast hone in on their acting and character development, while also leading and organising rehearsals.

Meanwhile, Ms Stebbings took on the challenge of musical director.

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Her role saw her fine-tuning the cast's vocals and coordinating with the live band, in which she played bass guitar.

The show was choreographed by the sisters and was produced by Jo Cooper and Liz Reid.

This acknowledgement is something Thetford Players have been striving towards for seven years.

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This year's win has been put down to the collaborative efforts of directors, producers, choreographers, set designers, sound and light engineers, make-up artists, stage management and crew, live musicians and the cast.

Puss in Boots marked the Thetford Players' 12th annual pantomime.

The performance played to nearly sold-out audiences in January 2023 at The Carnegie Thetford.

Puss in Boots marked the companies 12th annual pantomime (Image: Submitted)

The cast included characters such as Harry, played by Charlie Wilson, and Puss - played by James Trayton.

Adam Bond brought to life the character of Betty Boot, underscoring his celebrated reputation as drag queen, Queenie B.