AN amateur dramatics group has scored a string of awards for its production of a musical based on teenage footballers.

Chester-le-Street Theatre Group won five regional awards from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association for their 2016 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game, set in Belfast during The Troubles.

Director Julie Dryden said: “I discovered the musical score for The Beautiful Game some years ago and loved the music and story that it evoked.

“As a teenager I can remember the news broadcasts of these troubled times and think it is part of history that our young people should be aware of”.

She added: “Conveying the emotion and hatred to a young cast were difficult at times but I used no filter in these scenes and I was immensely proud of the characterisation skills they portrayed.

“This production is not a traditional show for amateur theatre and even less for a youth group and to my knowledge has not been performed in this district before now.

“I love a challenge and enjoyed every minute of this production”.

The awards won included Youth Individual Award, Youth Production Award, Councillors Youth Individual Award, Councillors Youth Production Award and Councillors Individual Performance Award.

Chester-le-Street Theatre Group’s next production is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (Junior Section), which will be performed at Park View Theatre, Chester-le-Street.

The pantomime will run from November 29 to December 2 and tickets are priced at £10 adults or £8 concessions and are available by calling the box office on 0191 388 3778.