A CELEBRATION of theatre in Sedgefield paid off for its hosts who finished up with a clutch of awards.

Sedgefield Drama Festival returned for the 41st time this month for a week-long run of one act plays performed by groups vying for titles from across the region.

Paul Fowler, of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, praised the festival which was organised by overall winners, the Sedgefield Players.

Organiser Norma Neal said: “After 40 successful years, we were unable to run a festival in 2016. Having skipped a year, we are delighted to have returned in such strength for our 41st.”

The group won over the judge with their reworking of Bertolt Brecht’s The Jewish Wife, which also secured awards for costume, technical achievement and the ensemble work of the cast.

Sedgefield Player Thomas Guest won the adjudicator’s Special Award for his support throughout the festival as well as Best Director and Best Actor for his portrayal of social worker Leslie in the group's production of A Touch of Rose Madder, which also won the Audience Award and the Mayor’s Runner-up Award.

Sedgefield Players Youth Section (SPYS) won Best Set while awards for the Best Performers under 21 went to 13-year-old Cameron Andrews of SPYS.

Other winners included performers from Richmond and Stanley.