The Keeley Plate committee are delighted to be awarding the salver this year, in what has
been yet another high quality showing of youth theatre talent. The award, established in 1963,
is open to any youth theatre member of normal school age for the most promising
performance of the season and is given in memory of John Keeley, one of our young actors
whose career was tragically cut short.
This season has given the committee, comprising Susie Timms, Sandie Kirk, Clare Franks
and myself three productions to consider. Namely, Moonfleece, The Snow Queen and Body
Talk. Three very different shows which gave youth theatre members of all ages equal chances
to shine.
Firstly Moonfleece, by Philip Ridley, gave the older youth members the opportunity to tackle
some hard-hitting subjects.
Asher Byrne, as Jez, deserves recognition for his humour and comic timing. He had all the
funny lines and delivered them well. This was a strong performance with good
characterisation.
Tash Chant, in her first production at the Courtyard Theatre, played the pivotal role of Link.
Her embodiment of the character was excellent, exhibiting plenty of light and shade. She had
incredible physicality and very strong delivery, her accent leading many of us to question
whether indeed she was actually Eastern European.
Olivia Thynne has impressed us in the past with her Anne of Green Gables, and although she
didn’t appear until quite late on in Moonfleece, she showed her versatility with a strong,
confident performance. She made the most of a small part and her characterisation was very
believable.
Olivia was also an Assistant Director on Body Talk, just one of several of our youth theatre
members who are diversifying in backstage roles and giving back to the theatre by helping
behind-the-scenes.
After Christmas we had The Snow Queen and again we saw our junior members shine. Stand
out performances in this production included Nikki Ager, who was excellent as Corr, really
nailing the bird-like physicality. This was a very mature performance, Nikki’s first with us,
and we look forward to seeing more of her on the Courtyard stage.
Martha Odhuba is also a newcomer to Chipstead and she gave a particularly natural
performance, showing off her strong singing voice in a confident solo.
We had seen Alice Grant in a small role in Our Day Out but, as Gerda in The Snow Queen,
she transitioned to a lead role and did it very well.
A final shout-out must go to Lana and Mila – the little guards, who stole every scene they
appeared in.
At this point, we must make mention of one of last year’s winners, Charlie McCarthy, who
is proving to be a real asset to the Chipstead Players. Not only does he regularly excel on
stage, he is often to be found in multiple roles behind the scenes. He has been stagehand,
prompt, video director, and front of house, among other things, and his is always a welcome,
cheery face, no matter what task he is undertaking. Charlie is really taking advantage of the
learning opportunities provided by volunteering at the theatre, in whatever capacity. It’s
definitely worth mentioning that helping at the Courtyard can provide really useful life
experiences, as well as social opportunities and extra credit on CV’s and those all-important
personal statements!
Moving on, the final youth theatre production of the season was Body Talk, by Andy
Rashleigh. This was a real ensemble show, with a competent cast working well together.
Iris Bartram, as Braino, displayed an authority beyond her years, bringing a variety of
intonation and pace to her confident performance.
Ellis Russell proved very effective at being sulky and put upon. It’s not easy to keep up the
acting when you’re on stage a lot with not many lines, but Ellis never turned off his
performance.
Again the two youngest cast members, this time Lana and Adele, were the scene stealers,
showing great promise for the future of the Youth Theatre.
We must congratulate everyone who has taken part in a youth theatre production this season –
there have been some very strong performances. But the committee were all in agreement
that this year, the young actor awarded the Keeley Plate for the most promising performance
is… TASH CHANT!
Now, unfortunately for us, Tash is away travelling at the moment, but we shall make sure she
has a chance to pick up her award when she returns.
Edwina Marrow.
