On Saturday 18 July at 7pm, we are once again thrilled to be playing host to the The Eagle Awards. Now in its 30th year, we will be bursting onto the Derby Theatre stage with pzazz, panache and in the presence of some of the most exciting talent in the region. The Eagle Awards showcases and celebrates the wealth of amateur theatre in Derby and Derbyshire and is one of the highlights of the region’s cultural calendar.
Derby and the surrounding areas are fortunate to have one of the country’s largest and most vibrant Amateur Theatre communities and awards, of a beautiful Eagle designed exclusively by Royal Crown Derby, will once again be presented to individuals and companies who have excelled in key areas. Amateur translates as ‘for the love of it’ and The Eagle Awards celebrate, promote and recognise this love and the wonderful array of theatre it produces each year.
Caroline Barth (Head of Learning, Derby Theatre and Eagles coordinator) said:
“The Eagle Awards is one of the city’s highlights of the arts and cultural calendar for non-professional artists and companies from across the region. The event is a wonderful opportunity for artists, companies and audiences alike to celebrate and recognise the fantastic talent and achievements of these companies. Once again, the judges have seen an amazing array of shows, and the judging has been incredibly tough. We look forward to seeing and welcoming all nominees, other members from the amateur theatre community and audiences on the evening.”
Compèred by Morgan Brind and with BSL interpretation by Trish Wright of The Inclusivity Group LTD
Supported by Vaillant
BSL Introduction
The nominations for 2026 are:
The Derby Telegraph Award for BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
- Encore Performing Arts, The Shawshank Redemption
- Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company, Men of the World
- Belper Players, Gym and Tonic
- QUADS, No Sex Please, We’re British
The Malcolm Sircom Award for BEST PRODUCTION OF A PANTOMIME
- Little Eaton Players, Robin Hood
- Enfield Players, Treasure Island
- The Watson Players, Cinderella
- Chellaston Players, Humpty Dumpty
The Gordon Bewley Award for BEST PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
- Belper Musical Theatre Company (Adult), Jesus Christ Superstar
- LEOS Musical Theatre Company, Young Frankenstein
- KTCo, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
- Good Companions Musical Theatre, The Band
The Robert Lindsay Award for BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
- Phil Stanley as Red, Shawshank Redemption, Encore Performing Arts
- Mik Horvath as Don Weston, Gym and Tonic, Belper Players
- John Lambert as Brian Runnicles, No Sex Please, We’re British, QUADS
- Alex Wrampling as Frank, Men of the World, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Phil Treece Award for BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PANTOMIME
- Charlotte Brownsword – Malicious, Humpty Dumpty, Chellaston Players
- Patricia Church and Sally Tickner-Mellor – Grizelda and Gertrude, Ugly Sisters, Cinderella, Watson Players
- Lucy Cadney – Countess Cruella, Beauty and the Beast, Kaleidoscope Players
- Catherine Baker – Silly Willy Scarlet, Robin Hood, Little Eaton Players
The Gwen Taylor Award for BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
- Jake Eyles – Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar, Belper Musical Theatre Company (Adult)
- Rob Stott-Marshall – Billy Crocker, Anything Goes, Beeston Musical Theatre Group
- Kate Williams – Margaret New, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, KTCo
- Louise McGowan – Frau Blucher, Young Frankenstein, LEOS Musical Theatre Company
The Jo Davison Award for BEST NEWCOMER
- Cat Howourth – Director, Jesus Christ Superstar, Belper Musical Theatre Company (Adult)
- Aoife Clarke – Choreography, Crazy for You (Youth Edition), LEOS Youth Group
- Shannon O’Donnell – MD, Into the Woods JR, LEOS Youth Group
- Peter Kearney – Stick, Men of the World, Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company
The Brian Glazebrook Award for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
- Beth Crew, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, KTCo
- Ben Hobson, Humpty Dumpty, Chellaston Players
- Martin Smith, Helen Morton, Andy Saunders, Treasure Island, Enfield Players
- Katie Bird, Young Frankenstein, LEOS Musical Theatre Company
The Jean Gemmell Award for BEST CONTRIBUTION BY A YOUNG PERSON
- Faye Barrett – Mother Superior, Sister Act Jr, Rising Stars
- Flori Simms – Mary Roberts, Sister Act Jr, Belper Junior Musical Theatre Company
- Findlay Parker – Bobby Child, Crazy for You, LEOS Youth Group
- Harry Ellis and Sam Jackson, Agatha Crusty, Drama Incorporated
The David Orange Award for BEST YOUTH PRODUCTION
- Crazy For You, LEOS Youth Group
- Sister Act JR, Rising Stars
- We Will Rock You, KTCo Senior Musical Theatre Company
- Into the Woods, LEOS Youth Group
The Derby Theatre Award for EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & PARTICIPATION
- Watson Players
- St Nicholas Players
- Drama Incorporated
- LEOS Musical Theatre Company
The Ken and Barbara Pipes Award for EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO AMATEUR THEATRE
To be announced on the night.
Gallery
Presenters and acts who will perform on the evening will be announced in due course…
Dress code: Glitz and glam are always welcome, so feel free to dress to impress and bring your sparkle for the evening.