ITA Finley Award Winners

Congratulations to all the ITA Finley Award winners, and thank you to everyone who came along and had such a good time on such an enjoyable evening. For those of you who couldnÂ’t make it, the Award Recipients were:

Plays Category:
1st Place - "Too Far to Walk", directed by Geoff Leeder, Kwinana Theatre Workshop;
2nd Place - "Twelve Angry Men", directed by Norma Standing, Garrick Theatre;
3rd Place - "Butterflies Are Free", directed by Geoff Leeder, Melville Theatre.

Musicals Category:
1st Place - "Cabaret", directed by David Gardette, Playlovers;
2nd Place - "Assassins", directed by Alex McLennan, Playlovers.

Sheila Buchanan AdjudicatorsÂ’ Encouragement Award: Melville Theatre.


Congratulations to Playlovers for sweeping the Musicals Category - I canÂ’t remember such a thing happening before (anyone else?). Well done also to Geoff Leeder for scooping first and third place in the Plays Category (still room for improvement though, GeoffÂ…). And how embarrassing for Rockingham Theatre to win an AdjudicatorsÂ’ Award, and have no one there to receive it.


My apologies for a couple of things:

The evening did go on a little longer than expected - a couple of naughty groups exceeded the ten-minute limit on their excerpts, but the standard was so high I donÂ’t think people minded too much.

Because the evening was running long, I tried to wrap things up quickly, and in so doing, neglected to properly thank a few people. Huge thanks of course must go to David Crewes who produced the show, coordinated with the venue, wrote the script, supervised the rehearsals, and - basically - ensured we had a show. Speaking of the venue, many thanks to David Yardley, owner and manager of the Bridge Theatre. David did absolutely everything he could to make us welcome and provide technical support. Technical support also came from the lovely Marie Corrigan, and the not-quite-so-lovely, but equally invaluable, Stan Brannick, both of whom ran things backstage with grace and efficiency. Attributes also credited to a not-in-the-best-of-health Kim Shaw, who nevertheless took bookings and managed FOH despite a few unfortunate mishaps. "Not in the best of health" also, was Mandy Crewes, who was originally slated to co-host with Conrad Crisafulli, but missed the evening. Thanks to Conrad who soldiered on regardless, and get well soon, Mandy. And on a selfish note, thanks to Helen McFarlane for reprising the wonderful Sally Bowles. (Sorry, Helen, I know that last year I stated, "Gaffa tape holds the universe together," but for holding up stockings, suspenders are generally preferable.)

JB