Musical Theatre Oamaru president Daniel Martin expected the society to pick up some awards at Saturday's Otago Southland Theatre Awards (Ostas), but winning six - including best overall production - was "just amazing".
Musical Theatre Oamaru hosted the sixth annual Ostas at St Kevin's College, bringing more than 200 people from various theatrical societies throughout Otago and Southland together to celebrate the best live amateur theatre of the past year.
It was the second time Musical Theatre Oamaru had hosted what is hailed as the biggest night for musical theatre practitioners in Otago and Southland - and it was its night to shine.
Oamaru's 2018 production of Mamma Mia!, the highest grossing show in the society's history, received six awards from 15 nominations, including best overall production, best sound, best supporting female in a musical (Sonya Creedy), best musical direction (Sam van Betuw), best direction (Russell Dixon) and best leading female in a musical (Krissy McGeown).
"It encompasses what Russell made the show about. It was all inclusive - no-one was better than anyone else," Mr Martin said.
Mamma Mia! co-producer Melissa Yockney said the awards received were a credit to everyone involved - from the actors and actresses, to all of those involved behind the scenes.
In 2018, judges Hilary Finnie, Brian Pay, Gwyn Stevenson, Beth McArthur, Gloria Reid and Vicki Crawford viewed 14 productions - eight musicals, four plays and two revues - and selected 110 nominations in the 21 categories on offer.
Mr Stevenson said the final results were a true reflection of what was "the very best theatre" judges saw during 2018.
"The nominations are also a credit to the smaller societies throughout Otago and Southland showing that you do not have to be the biggest or have the most resources to inspire excellence," Mr Stevenson said.
Results: Best make-up and hair: Musical Theatre Dunedin (Priscilla Queen of the Desert); best properties: West Otago Theatrical Society (Les Miserables); best sound: Musical Theatre Oamaru (Mamma Mia!); best lighting and vision: Taieri Musical Society (Ovation); best wardrobe: Taieri Musical Society (Ovation); best set: Gore Musical Theatre (Shrek the Musical Jnr): best vocal work company: Taieri Musical Society (Ovation); best ensemble: Invercargill Musical Theatre (Grease: Arena Spectacular); best cameo performance: Harriet Moir (Musical Theatre Dunedin, Priscilla Queen of the Desert): best supporting female in a musical: Sonya Creedy (Musical Theatre Oamaru, Mamma Mia!); best supporting male in a musical: Craig Wadsworth (West Otago Theatrical Society, Les Miserables); best supporting female in a play: Sarah Barham (Remarkable Theatre, Away); best supporting male in a play: Nick Meissel (Clyde Theatre Group, Daughters of Heaven); best leading female in a musical: Krissy McGeown (Musical Theatre Oamaru, Mamma Mia!); best leading female in a play: Hannah Anderson (Clyde Theatre Group, Daughters of Heaven); best leading male in a musical: Bruce Potter (West Otago Theatrical Society, Les Miserables); best leading male in a play: Keith Richardson (Taieri Dramatic Society, Bangers-n-Mash); best choreography: Emma Holloway (Taieri Musical Society, Ovation); best musical direction: Sam van Betuw (Musical Theatre Oamaru, Mamma Mia!); best direction: Russell Dixon (Musical Theatre Oamaru, Mamma Mia!); best overall production Musical Theatre Oamaru (Mamma Mia!).
