TAUNTON'S pantomime society delivered a showstopping performance at the Cinderella Awards, scooping 20 nominations and eight awards.

The longstanding Wayfarers Pantomime Society blew away the competition at the 50th Cinderella Awards on Friday. The annual awards, run by the Somerset Fellowship of Drama, recognise the hard work of pantomime societies across the county.

The Wayfarers Pantomime Society cleaned up at the awards following a successful 2024 season performing Dick Whittington to sell-out audiences at the Brewhouse theatre. The society won eight categories, including Best Principal Girl and Boy, Musical Director, Choreographer, Theatre Design and Management, Special Award, and Best Junior Group.

Somerset County Gazette: Amy Chapman, winner of Principle BoyAmy Chapman, winner of Principle Boy (Image: Wayfarers)

Over 24 pantomime societies gathered their 300 performers, stagehands and supporters at Batch Country House in Weston-super-Mare to celebrate each other’s hard work.

The Cinderella Award went to the Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society for their production of Treasure Island, performed at Westlands. 

Somerset County Gazette: Martin Lock, winner of Stage ManagementMartin Lock, winner of Stage Management (Image: Wayfarers)

A spokesperson for the Somerset Fellowship of Drama said: ‘But eclipsing everyone else in terms of the number of trophies won, were Taunton Wayfarers.’ 

The Wayfarers Pantomime Society added: ‘Hot off the back of last year's successful award-winning show, the production team is already working on raising the bar again for this year's Beauty and the Beast production!

‘We are always looking for new members both on and off stage, so please visit our Facebook page for more details of our upcoming workshops which commence on 24th June.’