Hartlepool Stage Society and Hartlepool Junior Stage Society were both very much centre stage when they celebrated winning multiple awards and top honours at the NODA North Performance Awards 2026 at Newcastle’s Grand Hotel Gosforth Park.
At the Youth Awards Ceremony, the society’s youth branch, Hartlepool Junior Stage Society, took home the award for “Best Concert” for their production “Dare to Dream Jr.” at their first ever youth awards. The production was also nominated for the prestigious Regional Youth Coordinator’s award for “Best Youth Production”—an exceptionally high accolade which recognised just three productions out of the many dozens staged across the region over the past year.
The success continued into the Adult Performance awards, where Hartlepool Stage Society secured “Best Concert” for “Fresh Takes & Timeless Remakes” – their acclaimed musical revue concert performed at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre last November.
In addition to their concert success, the company behind “Young Frankenstein” – the society’s June 2025 musical production – was also awarded a “High Commendation” in recognition of “remarkable resilience and professionalism” during two consecutive nights of theatrical disruption at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.
The award highlighted the cast and crew’s composure when a townwide blackout plunged the stage into darkness mid-performance—during which the cast refused to let the show stop and carried on in total darkness to complete a nine-minute tap number. The following evening, the company demonstrated equal composure when the fire curtain descended mid-show, halting the performance.
Helen Abraham, NODA Representative for District 4, said: “The resilience and professionalism shown by everyone was outstanding—how every performer stayed completely in character throughout, and how the front-of-house staff at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre ensured everyone was safe and evacuated calmly. Even on the second night, as the fire curtain descended and halted the show again, the cast carried on seamlessly in character.”
Peter Rowlands, Chair of Hartlepool Stage Society, said: “I am immensely proud of every single member across both Hartlepool Stage Society and Hartlepool Junior Stage Society for their remarkable success at the NODA North Awards 2026. Taking home ‘Best Concert’ and receiving a ‘Commendation’ award for ‘Young Frankenstein’, alongside our Junior Stage Society winning ‘Best Junior Concert’ for ‘Dare to Dream Jr’., is a true testament to the exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work of our performers.”
He added: “These achievements simply wouldn’t be possible without our brilliant production teams working tirelessly behind the scenes. From the visionary guidance of our directors, musical directors, and choreographers, to the seamless execution of our stage managers and crew, their effort is the backbone of every show we create. I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team, and we can’t wait to share our next production, The Wizard of Oz, with audiences this November.”
Hartlepool Stage Society is currently preparing for its upcoming pantomime production of “The Wizard of Oz”, running from 19th to 21st November at the Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre. Tickets are available now at culturehartlepool.com/events/wizard-of-oz/.
