Award for Hartlepool amateur dramatics group that performed through a blackout
Talented Hartlepool amateur performers are celebrating after winning a series of honours at a prestigious awards ceremony – including for finishing a show in a blackout.
Hartlepool Stage Society and Hartlepool Junior Stage Society clinched multiple award wins and top honours at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) North Performance Awards 2026 held in Newcastle.
In the Youth Awards ceremony, Hartlepool Junior Stage Society took home the award for Best Concert for their production Dare to Dream Jr at their first ever youth awards.
The production was also just one of three nominated for the prestigious Regional Youth Coordinator’s Award for Best Youth Production.
In the Adult Performance Awards, Hartlepool Stage Society secured Best Concert for Fresh Takes & Timeless Remakes, their acclaimed musical revue concert performed lat November.
And the company was awarded a High Commendation Award in recognition of the cast and crew’s composure when a town-wide blackout plunged the Town Hall Theatre stage into darkness during their 2025 musical Young Frankenstein.
The cast carried on in total darkness to complete a nine-minute tap number.
The following evening, the company showed equal composure when the fire curtain descended mid-show, halting the performance.
NODA is the leading representative body for amateur theatre in the UK,
Their North representative Helen Abraham said: “The resilience and professionalism shown by everyone was outstanding – how every performer stayed completely in character throughout, and how the front-of-house staff at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre ensured everyone was safe and evacuated calmly.
“Even on the second night, as the fire curtain descended and halted the show again, the cast carried on seamlessly in character.”
Peter Rowlands, chair of Hartlepool Stage Society, added: “I am immensely proud of every single member across both Hartlepool Stage Society and Hartlepool Junior Stage Society for their remarkable success at the NODA North Awards 2026.
“Taking home Best Concert and receiving a Commendation Award for Young Frankenstein, alongside our Junior Stage Society winning Best Junior Concert for Dare to Dream Jr is a true testament to the exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work of our performers.”
Audiences can see the stage society in their next production, The Wizard of Oz, at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, Raby Road, from November 19-21.