Exeter Lord Mayor presents prizes to young stars

Exeter's Right Honourable Lord Mayor Councillor Rachel Lyons attended a dazzling display of talent by Stage by Stage students on Sunday 14 July at Exeter Corn Exchange.

Stage by Stage is Exeter's independent theatre arts school, and the Mayor was there to present certificates and special prizes to its students.

The gala, which is an annual event, this year also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Stage by Stage and featured musical and dance numbers drawn from the last two decades of shows which have been performed by the school in the city and around the UK.

Despite it being the hottest night of the year, the evening was also enjoyed by a packed house of mums, dads, family, friends and members of the public. The Mayor praised the year round efforts of the Stage by Stage students and all other youth activity in Exeter.

Ian Trafford and his wife Tanya, who run the stage school and the associated Euridge School of dance, were given 'thank you' cards by their delighted students in a surprise presentation before the finale of the gala which featured all of the students, filling the stage and half the auditorium.

All students were presented with a Junior, Intermediate or Senior Performance Diploma depending on age by the Mayor, who also presented special trophies for outstanding achievement throughout the year.

In our photograph, back row: Catherine Kirkham-Sandy (Junior Best Performance); Charlotte Green (Senior Most Improved); Georgia Tapp & Abby Purdy (Golden Voice); Lord Mayor; ChloeSomerwill (Junior Panto Player); Bryony Buckingham & Will Trafford (Hot Feet Dance Award)

Front Row: India Nye (Junior Breakout Award); Sam Ward (Drama Award; Jon Bisby (Senior Performance of the Year); Erin Santillo (Senior Panto Player); Marley Chinn (Comedy Cup); Leah James (Junior Most Improved)