A COMEDY has clinched the double for the Athelstan Players at this year’s Swindon theatre awards.

The theatre company, based in Malmesbury, has won The Harold Jolliffe One Act Play Festival for the second year running, performing the first act of the Tony Layton play Honeymoon Suite.

Bob Charman starred as the ageing rock star Jet Rush, Natasha Gray as his assistant and Nicola Pearce Smith as avid fan.

The Athelstan Players walked away with an armful of awards. As well as the Becky Peck Rose Bowl for winning play, the group scooped best director, best actress and audience favourite awards.

Runners up this year were newcomers to the Swindon festival, the Young Marlborough Actors, who gave an imaginative interpretation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Judge Sue Doherty said: “This play was pulled off with just eight cast members. I’ve seen it done previously with up to 40. They must be exhausted! It was extremely clever and imaginative.’’

Silverware for the young actors included the Charles Grace Cup for runners-up and the Brenda Lilley Loving Cup for best youth group, while Rosie Walker won best performance by a junior actor.

This year’s Swindon Advertiser Cup for an original production went to The Bishopstone Players for their performance of Peter Yates’ drama Long Time Coming.

The annual festival was held at the Swindon Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town ending with a grand finale and awards presentation on Saturday, April 11.

The Athelstan Players and the Marlborough Young Actors now go through to the next regional round of the All England Theatre Festival at the Memorial Hall in Royal Wootton Bassett on Saturday, April 25.

They are also eligible for entry in the National Drama Festival Association’s All-Winners Festival.

Festival director Fenella Harrop said: “We’re very happy that the festival is attracting new companies to perform.

“To see Friendly Theatre and Marlborough Young Actors making their first forays into the festival with such impressive results is very rewarding.”

“Also, it’s hugely encouraging to see the fantastic energy and creativity we have in Swindon and we are proud to be able to showcase such great local talent.”

Last year the Athelstan Players won with the gripping drama Isolation At Eyam by Joyce Dennys.

The one act play festival is hosted by the Swindon and District Theatre Guild and is name after Swindon’s post war librarian Harold Jolliffe.