Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Carousel swept the board at the Wharfedale Festival of Theatre’s awards ceremony this week by winning no less than seven categories – including the prestigious title of best overall production.

The show had received an amazing 13 nominations for the Wharfedale Oscars, and also walked away with the awards for best actor (Rob Edwards), best supporting actress (Sally Merridew), best supporting actor (Dale Chadwick), best director (Jonathan Tate), best choregrapher (Andrew Walton) and outstanding performance by a youth (Chloe Judge). The festival’s panel of experienced adjudicators suggested that the high standard reached by Carousel was due to the level of teamwork inspired throughout the company by director, Jonathan Tate.

“Your show had charm,” they said in awarding the overall award. “It had magic; and it was very moving.”

Cast and crew will hope to build on this success in the year to come, with two exciting productions already in the pipeline. Rehearsals are already well under way for Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, which takes place from November 3-7 at the King’s Hall. Meanwhile next March, the society is presenting the Yorkshire premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with lyrics by Gary Sullivan and music by John Trent Wallace, this is a spectacular musical set in the colourful streets 15th century Paris.