The Mere Players are celebrating their first award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. The south Norfolk-based drama group gained the accolade for staging the Broadway smash hit musical Jekyll and Hyde - the most challenging musical production in their long history - which was voted best production in the eastern region (area six) by the NODA.

The Mere Players are celebrating their first award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

The south Norfolk-based drama group gained the accolade for staging the Broadway smash hit musical Jekyll and Hyde - the most challenging musical production in their long history - which was voted best production in the eastern region (area six) by the NODA.

The cast and production team worked on the show for three months and were rewarded by standing ovations at every performance.

Producer Emma Burton said: “This award is so deserved by the whole team who worked on Jekyll and Hyde, from the cast - led by an outstanding performance by Alistair Baker in the role of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde - to all those who helped off stage. The production was a true team effort from start to finish.”

For director Lisa Adamson and musical director Michael Dann, its as their second NODA best production award - having previously taken the honours back in 2000 for Godspell with Spotlight Players, also based in south Norfolk.

Mere Players are currently casting two one-act Harold Pinter plays which will be staged at Roydon Village Hall in May. For more details contact David Black on 01379 687427 or email production@mereplayers.co.uk.

For more details about the Mere Players visit their website www.mereplayers.co.uk