The Keep Colchester Cool Awards for Local Theatre (formerly the Paulies) aim to celebrate the incredible achievements of our local amateur and community theatre scene, recognising the immense talent and dedication of everyone involved.
The Headgate Theatre is proud to have been the home for many of the productions included in the 2024 shortlist. Congratulations in particular to the winners and nominees from Headgate Theatre Productions, and to Dr Cameron Abbott Betts, the visionary behind the Colchester Fringe, which the theatre is again proud to play a major part in.
BEST PLAY
Winner: Equus (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Ghosts (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Macbeth (Colchester Theatre Group)
The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Treatment (Headgate Theatre Studio Sessions)
BEST MUSICAL
Winner: A Man of No Importance (Headgate Theatre Productions)
My Fair Lady (Colchester Operatic Society)
Nine (Platform Musicals)
BEST ACTOR
Winner: George Penny for Alan Strang in Equus
Dean Bartholemew for Martin Dysart in Equus
George Deadman for Oswald Irving in Ghosts
Rowan Donaldson for Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona
James Potter for George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life (Colchester Theatre Group)
BEST ACTRESS
Winner: Laura Hill for Helene Irving in Ghosts
Helen Bridge for Snake in The Grass (Headgate Theatre Productions)
Sara Green for Clarissa Odbody in It’s A Wonderful Life
Mairead Ladyman for Lady Macbeth in Macbeth
Emma Theedom for Julia in Treatment
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Winner: James Potter for Macduff in Macbeth
Michael Cook for Pastor Manders in Ghosts
Steven Lello for Frank Strang in Equus
Adam Webb for Nugget/Horseman in Equus
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Winner: Clare Allmond for Dora Strang in Equus
Anna Caldwell for Regina in Ghosts
Elly Kent Johnson for Hesther Salome in Equus
Maddy Smith for Lucetta in The Two Gentlemen of Verona
BEST DIRECTOR
Winner: Sharon Carter and Toby Roberts for Equus
Wade Ablitt for A Man of No Importance
Sheila Foster for The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Lorraine Howarth for Macbeth
Andrew Hodgson for Ghosts and Treatment
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTRESS
Winner: Martha Mugford for Adele Rice in A Man of No Importance
Hannah Ambrose for Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady
Leanne Thomas for Luisa in Nine
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner: Emma Theedom for Carla in Nine
Caroline Fritz for Lily Byrne in A Man of No Importance
Jayne Sheeran for Saraghina in Nine
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTOR
Winner: Gareth Gwyn Jones for Alfie Byrne in A Man of No Importance
Tom Pleasant for Guido in Nine
Wayne Setford for Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady
BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Winner: Connor Pratchett for Robbie Fay in A Man of No Importance
Graham Bowden for Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady
Stuart Williams for Alfred Doolittle in My Fair Lady
SPECIAL AWARD: Dr Cameron Abbott Betts, the visionary behind the Colchester Fringe