Annual Awards

The ‘Stella’ Awards

The ‘Stellas’ were the brain-child, in 1981, of the Palace Theatre Club’s late chairman and long-serving committee member Jack Clouting. They were voted for by Club members and awarded annually to an actor and actress from the Palace’s own productions (at that time there were few touring productions available and the Palace largely produced its own shows).

Jack suggested that the awards be named after Stella Saunders MBE, a founder member of the Club, former President and a strong supporter of the Palace who attended most productions. She was a retired civil servant and had been actively involved in writing and presenting plays about the town, and also writing poetry. She unwaveringly maintained her active support until her death, in 1994, at 100 years old.

Stella Saunders celebrating her 100th birthday

The awards were inscribed Caithness glass bowls with a star motif celebrating a ‘star’ performance. They were presented at a special ceremony, usually during the Spring Lunch. The first award was presented in 1982 and they continued until 2002, when in-house productions ceased.

Stella Award winners

1982 – Christopher Dunham (Cabaret) and Caroline Harris (Duet for One)

1983 – Jim Hooper (Hello and Goodbye) and Michele Wade (The Glass Menagerie)

1984 – Peter Doran (Another Country [left]) and Liz Bagley (Trafford Tanzi)

Award1985-Ann-Curthoys-and-Gilbert-Wynne

1985 – Gilbert Wynne and Ann Curthoys (Pack of Lies)

1986 – Christine Absalom (Skirmishes [left]) and Lennox Greaves (Intimate Exchanges)

1987 – Colette Kelly (A Chorus of Disapproval [centre])

1987 – Dennis Spencer (A Month of Sundays [left])

1988 – Peter Laird (Amadeus) and Monette Lee (Happy Jack)

1989 – Gary Whitaker (Brighton Beach Memoirs) and Helen Fraser (Stepping Out)

1990 – Kenneth Oxtoby (The Business of Murder [left]) and Anne Pearson (Beyond Reasonable Doubt)

1991 – Michael Keating (A View from the Bridge [left]) and Joan Blackham (Lettice and Lovage)

Award1992-Philip-Anthony-and-Ursula-Mohan

1992 – Philip Anthony and Ursula Mohan (Shadowlands)

1993 – Peter Laird (Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me [right]) and Lisa Turner (Jordan)

1994 – Keith Drinkel [left] and Julie Teal (Death and the Maiden)

1995 – Frank Barrie (Jeffrey Barnard is Unwell) and Sarah Legg (Abigail’s Party)

1996 – Jon Emmanuel (Me and My Girl) and Joyce Blane (Me and My Girl)

1997 – Keith Drinkel (The Creeper) and Helen Fraser (A Passionate Woman)

1998 – John Pythian (12 Angry Men) and Christine Absalom (Just Between Ourselves)

1999 – THEATRE CLOSED

2000 – Robert Demeger (The Merchant of Venice) and Faith Flint (Perfect Wedding)

2001 – Terrence Hardiman (Twelfth Night) and Helen Hobson (Educating Rita).

2001 – Special Awards for the Agatha Christie Festival: Antony Edridge and Elizabeth Elvin

2002 – Martin Carroll (Severance) and Elizabeth Elvin (Shirley Valentine)

The Amateur Awards

Palace Theatre Club Awards were reinstated from 2004, to honour the best amateur production each year. The award is a blue commemorative plaque.

Amateur Award winners

Presentations from 2004 to 2018 by Peter Warden, Palace Theatre Club Chairman.
Presentation in 2022 by Ann Whittington, Palace Theatre Club Acting Chair.