SOLVA Amateur Dramatic Society was delighted to win the Pembrokeshire round of the One Act Play Festival which was held at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven over the weekend.

The competition on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 saw entries from four amateur dramatic societies.

Cardigan Theatre presented Syrinx by Kate Mosse, Clarbeston Road Players presented Duplex by Keith Trezise, Johnston Country Players presented Killing Time by Neil Rhodes, and Solva Amateur Dramatic Society presented Something to Celebrate by Fran Barker, and edited by Jane Wilde.

The One Act Play Festival was organised by Pembrokeshire Drama Association, and the adjudicator was Ian Sargeston, who delivered detailed and constructive critiques. Standards in all aspects of stagecraft were high and entertaining.

The awards went to: The Amoco Challenge Trophy for Best Play: Solva Amateur Dramatic Society; The Western Telegraph Trophy for Best Actress: Amanda Canby-Lewis (SADS); The Western Telegraph Trophy for Best Actor: Alan York (SADS); The Pator Pantomime Society Trophy for Best Supporting Actress: Jackie Young (SADS); The Tenby Trophy for Best Supporting Actor: David Swan (SADS); The Bernleigh Challenge Trophy for Best Presentation: (SADS); Seesaw Productions Trophy for Best Newcomer: Andy Rowlands (Johnston Country Players); Adjudicator Award: Carys Russell (Clarbeston Road Players).

A Solva Amateur Dramatic Society spokesman said: “We were over the moon that every member of the cast of Something to Celebrate won an award. The cast really deserved success as they had put in a great deal of effort to bring the characters to life.

“We were proud to give the first performance of a play written by one of our own members, Fran Barker.

“The cast of four; Amanda Canby-Lewis (Sheila), Alan York (Morris), Jackie Young (Jane) and David Swan (Brynn); and backstage crew spent many enjoyable rehearsals, deep discussions and lively debates working hard to bring the characters to life, sharing ideas and skills to create a set and costumes to evoke memories of the 1970s.

“Peter Thair's artistic expertise created the décor, idyllic view from the window and the wedding portrait; a pastiche of the genuine wedding photos of Amanda and Alan.

“The set and costumes also met with the adjudicator's approval.”

SADS will be performing again in Solva on Wednesday, May 7 and again before going to the Welsh final in Cwmbran on June 6-7. Young SADS are also preparing for a performance of Twelfth Night in July.