Success for local playwright
The skill of local playwright Ben Keyser has been recognised at the recent Avon Amateur Dramatic [AAD] Festival in Chipping Sodbury. Ben, who lives in Tysoe when not at Loughborough University studying for a PhD, won several awards for his play Pigeon Syndrome.
Following the successful performance of this comedy at the Kineton Amateur Dramatic Society [KADS], Ben used the same cast of Dave Candy, Charlotte Ledger and Christine Cherry. Collectively they won Best Original Play, Best Actor [Dave Candy], Adjudicator’s Discretion [Charlotte Ledger] and Best in Festival. Having won at the AAD Festival, this has given them entry in to the semi final of the All England Theatre Festival in May.
Ben has acting experience himself including a terrific performance as Richard Hannay, the lead role in KADS production of The 39 Steps. He is taking Pigeon Syndrome to the Edinburgh Festival in August. To raise money for the venue and accommodation for the cast, he is putting a performance of a triple bill, including Pigeon Syndrome, at Ilmington Village Hall on Saturday 02 May.
Ben, who has recently become engaged to fellow student Nora, said, “I am obviously delighted to have won this but also that the marvellous talent of my cast of KADS actors has been recognised. Twice a year KADS has punched above its weight in putting on some great productions and I would not have been able to achieve this without the grounding I received both on stage and the support from KADS.”
Deborah Deeley, Secretary of KADS, said, “We are very proud of Ben and the cast members. We wish them every success as they take Pigeon Syndrome to the Edinburgh Festival”.
Tickets for the production at Ilmington Village Hall are available from [email protected]