Stars of Viva Soham celebrate at glitzy awards evening with special guest Hayley Mills

A star-studded awards ceremony recognising the best talent of Viva Soham saw award-winning actress Hayley Mills make a special appearance.

Ely Standard: Viva's annual awards in Soham. Wonderful guests with patrons Mike Fenton, Stevens, Lisa Goddard and special guests the Hayley Mills and Lindiwe Mkhize. Picture: MIKE ROUSE. Viva's annual awards in Soham. Wonderful guests with patrons Mike Fenton, Stevens, Lisa Goddard and special guests the Hayley Mills and Lindiwe Mkhize. Picture: MIKE ROUSE. (Image: Archant)

Dozens attended the bash at Lodeside Hall in Soham on Friday evening (November 16) where cast and crew donned their fancy frocks for the presentations.

Alongside English actress Hayley Mills - who is best known for her staring roles in some of the biggest films of the 1960s - presidents Mike Fenton Stevens and Liza Goddard were also joined by Lindiwe Mkhize, star of the West End’s The Lion King.

A new award was announced in the name of Viva actor and director, former drama teacher, David Tickner, for best supporting youth actor which went to Ollie Manley.

Dr Andrew Harter, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire was present and the chairman of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Councillor Peter Cresswell and his wife Roslyn.

Viva founder Daniel Schumann got the evening’s proceedings underway as special thanks for given for member’s hardwork over the past year.

Among the awards, Richard Dodd and Chloe Grimes were given a gong for best actor and actress, while Hannah Schumann won the Sheila Steafel comedy award.

Entertainment was provided by Olly Manley, Elisha Cardwell, Corbin Obass and Dresden Goodwin.

During the second part of the evening award winners included Tara Gilbey for special contribution to the theatre, Megan Godfrey for the best supporting youth actress and Andrew Gilbey for the show must go on award.

The final award of the evening, which was presented by Hayley Mills, went to Samantha Williams for the Dan Schumann shield for dedication and commitment award.

Established in 1997 by Daniel Schumann, Viva began life as a small youth theatre run by a team of volunteers. Its first performance, ‘Bugsy Malone’, was played to an audience of 400. But Viva grew and grew with more children joining and grander, more ambitious productions and charity status followed.

It now stages at least two major productions a year playing to audiences of up to 1000 and for the past ten years has taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – many of which have received five stars.