The Keeley Plate committee is delighted to be awarding the salver again this year, in
what has been another high quality showing of youth theatre talent. The award,
established in 1963, is open to any youth theatre member of school age including
those in Year 13 who are already 18 years old. It is awarded 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, our panel of three includes myself, Sandie Kirk and Clare Franks.
Eligible youth theatre members have appeared in last July’s production of Brighton
Beach Memoirs as well as Punk Rock, Uncle Ebenezer and Grimm Tales. Four very
different shows involving nearly 40 of our youth theatre members.
Firstly Brighton Beach Memoirs, by Neil Simon which was set in New York in
the 1930’s.
New to the Courtyard Theatre, Ethan Manwaring playing Eugene gave a very
mature performance as both family member and narrator of the piece. His stage
presence and comic timing were excellent. We look forward to seeing more of him
on the Courtyard Theatre stage. Olivia Thynne also gave a very strong
performance as Nora showing her versatility in another different type of role.
Punk Rock, by Simon Stephens, followed in September, the major production for
older Youth Theatre members, and it didn’t disappoint. We thought this play was
extremely well executed with every single member of the cast performing their role
very well indeed.
Sam Gower’s portrayal of William Carlisle stood out as he gave a multi-layered and
believable performance of his troubled character. It was also great to see Alex
Hilder giving a strong and confident performance in a more mature role.
After Christmas we had Uncle Ebenezer, The Musical, by Phil Willmott. This
was a triumph and Lana Bishop gave a delightful performance as Tiny Tim. The
ensemble of younger actors had plenty of opportunities to appear and sing on stage
in this adaptation of the well known tale.
Next, and described as ‘deliciously dark’ by the Directors, after Easter we had Philip
Pullman’s Grimm Tales, adapted for stage by Philip Wilson. This was a
tremendous production by our younger members and also an opportunity for others
(and their families) to help out backstage.
Celeste Valmary, in her first show at Chipstead really made her mark in a variety of
roles with self-assured performances as both the Witch and the Second King.
Scarlett Taylor looked both natural and comfortable in three different characters,
using comic timing very well as the cook.
And Bowen Lu both young and confident made great strides as both the devilish
wolf and the wolfish devil.
This show also gave us a few more names to look out for in the future including
Scarlet Shaw, Ela McCarthy, Ava McCarthy, Finn Lakes, Matty Linnegar and Kiara
Kaspersen.
We would like to make one further mention tonight of one of our young actors.
Though no longer eligible for the Keeley Plate, Sam Norris has performed in eight
separate productions in less than three years here culminating in his stellar portrayal
of 17 year old Nicolas in The Son last month. A shining example of what our Youth
Theatre members can achieve with hard work and dedication.
We must congratulate everyone who has taken part in a youth theatre production
this season – not only those I have mentioned tonight, but everyone who has been
involved in some amazing shows this year.
There can only be one winner – and this year we have unanimously agreed that the
winner of the Keeley Plate for the most promising performance of the season
2023/24 is… SAM GOWER for Punk Rock.
I would like to invite Tash Chant, last year’s winner, onto the stage to present the
Keeley Plate to our winner.
Edwina Marrow, June 2024.
