St Albans Musical Theatre Company have swept the board with four awards at the recent NODA London District Awards.

The company’s most recent musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, was honoured in three separate categories at the coveted awards, which honour the best productions and performances across the region.

As well as a Best Musical trophy for the show, Nicola Martinus Smith, won Best Female in a Musical for her role as Rona Lisa Peretti.

Gareth Edwards, familiar to local audiences for roles in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Spamalot, was named Best Male in a Musical for his role as Leaf Coneybear.

The award winning production was directed by Elise Betts.

Meanwhile, Return to the Stage and You Can’t Stop the Beat, the company’s first productions since lockdown and part of last year’s Roman Theatre Open Air Festival, won the NODA London Innovation trophy. 

The company are thrilled to be back at the same festival between 21-26 June with a fully staged production of RENT, also directed by Elise Betts. And the award-winning You Can’t Stop the Beat returns to the festival for a limited run too.  Tickets are currently on sale.

The awards successes come ahead of a busy few months for the company, who last year celebrated their 70th birthday. Currently in final rehearsals for RENT, the company also returns to the Alban Arena with Shrek in November.

Chair Joyce Smith said “These awards are a testament to the tenacity, creativity and talent displayed by our company throughout the  pandemic and beyond. Particular thanks go to director Elise Betts for her sterling work in bringing these productions to life. We’re delighted to be recognised by NODA and look forward to a busy year with RENT and Shrek coming up.”