Act II Theatre Company celebrates 20th anniversary and awards ceremony at Springfields Events and Conference Centre in Spalding

A theatre group’s alumni and current members attended an ‘emotional’ awards ceremony to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

Act II Theatre Company has been run by Karl and Charlotte Gernert for 20 years and they celebrated at Springfields Conference and Events Centre in Spalding.

The group has shaped thousands of youngsters’ lives teaching performance skills with many going on to work in professional theatre, including Tom Chamberlain, new technical manager at the South Holland Centre.

Karl said: “It was an emotional night and we were not really ready for how fully emotional it would be.

“Huge amounts turned up and it was wonderful to celebrate this year's achievements from our current members with lots of people from the past who came along.

“It was humbling and overwhelming.”

Awards given out included best leading and supporting role and supporting, best newcomer and role model, someone who has impressed in a particular class, best committed, best cast and a fellowship award.

Twins Joe and Harry Smith received the lifetime achievement award having joined the group when they were four years old and now aged 18 will be going on to further their studies.

Karl said: “This fellowship or lifetime achievement award is for people who stood out.

“They attended every class and we always like it when members go on to performing arts or go off to do a history degree as it gives them life skills.

“With many jobs you have to act, for example in teaching or law.”

Joe will be studying a foundation course in performing arts at Eastern School of Performing Arts in Stamford while Harry will be studying animal management.

Other examples of group’s alumni working in professional theatre includes Duncan Riches, who runs community projects and digital theatre, and Kieran Watson who attended Act II for more than a decade and is a senior technician on Mean Girls in the West End and has been on national tours.

Mr Gernert likened the event to the couple’s wedding where lots of people knew them but not necessarily each other.

He said: “There were lots of mini reunions within it for those who haven't seen each other for 15 years.

“They said they just picked up from where they left off.

“We came away thinking that it is important putting on shows and creating great theatre but that our legacy is friendship.”

The group has also brought together members who have subsequently got married.

Mr Gernert said: “There was a lot of catching up and so many do keep in touch with us regularly.

“A couple who are now married have gone through the adoption process which we have helped them with.

“It really is like a family.”

The band Zebra, for whom Mr Gernert is a bass player, performed on the evening and he pondered on what the next 20 years may bring.

He said: “We started having the ceremony at Springfields and they look after us very well and I wonder what the next 20 years hold.

“We want to say a big thank you to all our friends, audience members and supporters that have helped us get to this point.

“Hopefully we will celebrate 30 years.”

Act II is running week-long musical workshops for Beauty and the Beast and Into the Woods at the South Holland Centre in August.

For further information visit info@act2online.co.uk and Act II Theatre Company on Facebook.

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