The Very Useful Theatre Company’s Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays, which wrapped in September, completed its season, hosting their awards night at the beautiful, Lounge by the George on Main Street. The awards night, which also featured live entertainment, concluded with an “Open Stage” emceed by Tom Pearson featuring singers, spoken word artists, musicians and comedic pieces, making for a memorable night by all accounts.
The awards handed out included:
• Outstanding Performance in a Female Role to Lee Clements as Mrs. Mendelson in Just Asking For a very compelling, controlled and focused performance, technically on point, with an active internal monologue and strong relationships with her scene partner (Pratik Modi) and the audience.
• Outstanding Performance in a Male Role to This award is presented to…
GURMEET BAJWA as Geoffrey in THE HUNCHBACK OF MARSHALL AVENUE For his impressive stage presence, energetic performance, sharp timing, and
effective prop handling, this actor grabbed our attention and held it for the duration of the play.
• The Special Adjudicator’s Award
There are so many aspects of each production that could qualify for a special
award… but the adjudicator, Trevor Smith Diggins, decided to give it to two actors whose performances resonated with him, and with the audience – so this award is for comedy – and it goes to a dynamic stage partnership that delivered as much intelligence as it did silliness, bringing an impressive wit and great comedic timing to a fantastical situation.
This award for Outstanding Comedy Duo goes to…
CEIRIN METTLER and DESMOND BAXTER as the birds in PIGEON… WHOLE.
• Outstanding Production (Director) A.K.A . Ross Bayley Award
This award recognizes a piece of theatre where each element—direction, acting, design, stage movement, and script—aligns to create something truly wonderful. This director took a highly original premise and turned it into a triumph on stage.
They brought sharp wit, existential insight, clever comedy, and unexpected heart to the stage, and they proved that great storytelling can elevate even the most unusual perspectives. The award for Outstanding Production goes to…
Director AMANDA DEMPSEY-LAUGHLIN for the play PIGEON… WHOLE!
• Outstanding Play (Playwright)
This award goes to the playwright, and it’s given based on the submitted script. There were several contenders for this one, because the plays were all so rich and interesting. An outstanding play doesn’t just entertain us; it leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. This particular script rose to the top of because of
its profound honesty, emotional depth, and its rare ability to make the perspective of youth feel entirely new and very raw. The author has crafted a beautiful, layered and deeply moving piece that reminds us of the delicate nature of joy in the face of – continues next page
catastrophic adversity—and it brought the audience to their feet.
The award for Outstanding Play goes to…
NATALYA TORZHEVSKA for the play A HAPPY CHILD directed by Marlene Charney with special thanks to Tetiana Cherneta who assisted with the Ukrainian to Canadian translation as well as added live Bandura music to the production and son Denys Trokhymenko who played “The Child“, in his acting debut.
Upon hearing the news from Tetiana on the night of the awards Natalya replied,
“Thank you so much to you and Denys! It was an incredibly difficult night; there was an explosion right near my home and the first thing i read was your message. What an incredible contrast. Thank you so much for bringing this text to life, giving it your own voice and making this possible. You are incredible.”
This Playwright award also includes a cash prize of $300. Contacted in Ukraine by the VUTC and informed she had won for Outstanding Play, Torshevska was delighted, responding,
“I want to believe that this is not just an award for playwright. It is another proof that Ukrainian stories cross borders, language barriers, and distances. That our pain can be seen and heard by people who have never seen war. I am incredibly happy and sincerely grateful to the (Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays) organizers, the jury, and the creative team who embodied this text and gave it a chance to be heard”.
Adjudicator Trevor Smith Diggins ended with,
“The real prize is the collective magic you created during the festival weekend. By participating, collaborating, and pouring your hearts and talents into such a vibrant, supportive festival, every one of you should take great pride in your accomplishments. Thank you again for inviting me to be your adjudicator, and for keeping community theatre so beautifully alive here in Newmarket”.
The presidents award given to the person selected by the president to have made an outstanding contribution to the festival beyond expectations went to stage manager Christopher Gale. Said president Tom Pearson of the recipient,
“Chris was certainly deserving and epitomized going beyond expectations. The festival was powerfully inspiring and contributors (like Chris) helped make it so”
Next Up for TheV .U.T.C.
Next up for The Very Useful Theatre Company is the annual holiday season pantomime as well they are putting out the call for submissions for the 2027 Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays starting December 15 2026 and accepting plays until Jan 15 2027. This will be the 10th year for the festival and the V.U.T.C. hope to make it a special one! Find out the submissions criteria and entry point on the website at www.oneactplayfestival.com.
