Shining stars of Allerdale’s amateur dramatics have been recognised for their wonderful talent in regional nominations.

The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) has released its North West nominations, putting stars of Workington And District Amateur Musical Society, Workington Amateur Operatic Society, Cockermouth Amateur Dramatic Society and Maryport Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society in the spotlight.

Over the moon with his nomination is WADAMS’s Daniel McCreedy, who has been nominated for Best Supporting Male in an Adult Musical for his role of Willard Hewitt in Footloose.

“I’m just so overwhelmed to be nominated really – it’s a real honour,” he said.

“I’ve loved the film Footloose since I was little, so it’s nice to be nominated in a role from that musical.

“Credit must go to the production team, cast and all associated committees for the support given, as without them I woul not have been able to take on the role alongside directing.”

Another WADAMS member proud to be nominated is Harry Basnett, who has been put forward for Best Leading Male in a Youth Musical for his role of Bugsy Malone.

“I was both shocked and honoured to receive my nomination,” the youngster said.

“I loved every minute of bringing the role of Bugsy Malone to life, and I could not have done it without the support and encouragement of the cast, crew and directors at WADAMS.”

He added: “The role of Bugsy Malone is my first ever leading role and I was privileged to be given such an opportunity.

“To receive a nomination for something which I love makes it all the more special for me.”

And there’s a third cause for WADAMS’s celebration, with the group’s production of Aladdin being nominated for Best Pantomime.

Clark Wilkinson of MAODS is thrilled with the nominations, with Stuart Evans being nominated for Best Male Comedy Performance as Mr Poppy in Nativity!, and Best Programme for Nativity!.

“Putting on a show the scale of Nativity! takes months of planning and dedication,” Clark said.

“We don’t do it for the nominations, but for our audiences, who universally loved Nativity!.

“That said it’s always a delight to receive recognition for your work. “

He added: “MAODS extends their huge congratulations to Stuart Evans for his portrayal of Mr Poppy and to all other nominees in the area.”

WAOS is also celebrating, with Jennifer Hawley McGee, Jack Pike and Holly Harkness being nominated for best leading and supporting roles in the group’s production of The King and I.

And CADS is also pleased, with a nomination for Best Staging for their show, Improbable Fiction.

Director Jill Roper said: "I am honoured to be nominated for a NODA award for staging of Improbable Fiction.

"The staging of Improbable Fiction was challenging as there were so many entrances and exits.

"With the help of Katie Gentry, at the Kirkgate Centre, we devised an acting area in front of the actual stage and managed to switch the seating around so that we had a partial ‘in the round’ feel to the show."

She continued: "Hats off to the actors, who had not only an unfeasibly amount of costume changes to do, they also had to go between entrances sometimes by going down and up flights of stairs and running through the Egremont room underneath – it certainly kept them all on their toes!

"The fact that the play was a big success, audience-wise and critically, was a real credit to this fantastic group of actors, and of course particularly to [leading man] Ian."