Ormskirk School Nominated for Theatre Awards

Pupils at Ormskirk School in Lancashire have been nominated for several local accolades in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association awards.

The school’s musical production of Singin’ in the Rain was nominated for ‘best musical’, whilst an original play, No Man’s Land, was nominated for in the ‘best drama’ category.

No Man’s Land, a play created by three talented female students at Ormskirk—Chloe Ainsworth, Hazel Jutla, and Hannah Arnold—focused on the Kurdish Women’s Army and their fight against ISIS in the Syrian Civil War. 

In reviews, the play’s research and creation were described as “extensive,” and the students were praised for their ability to bring such an emotionally charged story to life.

In his official review, Jim Briscow described Singin’ in the Rain as “an absolute triumph” and praised the cast for their energy and precision. 

He specifically noted the choreography: “The dance numbers were executed with such skill, the tap routines in particular were sharp and rhythmic, showcasing the hard work that had clearly gone into them. The choreography by Emily Mayne, Izzy Chapple, and Abbey Turner was masterful.” 

He also highlighted the performances of the leads: “Charlie Geldart as Don Lockwood nailed the charm and confidence of the classic movie star, perfectly capturing the essence of the character.” 

On Megan Lawson’s portrayal of Kathy Selden, he wrote, “Megan brought a wonderful sense of warmth and depth to the character—her vocals were stunning, and she truly made Kathy her own.” 

About No Man’s Land,  Briscow commented, “The characters were incredibly believable, each performing with such dedication and heart. Hazel Jutla, as the matriarch, was compelling, and Chloe Ainsworth, with her burning ambition, brought a raw emotional energy to the role.” 

He also noted, “The physicality of the production was striking, with choreographed movement that added a layer of emotional depth and unity between the three characters.”

If successful at district level, the nominated staff and students at Ormskirk will go on to the regional NODA Awards, and then the national awards.

John Burnham, headteacher at Ormskirk School, commented: 

“We’re incredibly proud of all our students and staff for their nominations, and have every confidence we’ll be seeing them progress on even further to the regional awards.

“Both plays exhibited the breadth and depth of dramatic talent on offer at Ormskirk and I’d like to congratulate everyone who was involved”.