Tryst Theatre were crowned Falkirk District drama champions at the weekend.

The team won the SCDA One Act Play Festival district round with their production of Pugilist Specialist by Adriano Shaplin.

Hot on their heels in second place were the Young Portonian’s with The Queen Must Die.

Adjudicator Russell Boyce had the tough task of choosing the winners.

On Saturday night, the eventual champs opened the festival. The team’s simple but effective setting, the full use of the stage, the four differentiated characters, good and varied use of lighting and sound all attracted acclaim from the adjudicator.

Next up was the Young Portonian Senior team with Winners. Mr Boyce said the two good young actors had tackled a difficult play which was still fresh despite being written forty years ago.

Sunday night saw the second Tryst team perform Sebastian which gained praise for its clever set and lighting, as well as the creative use of music (and seamed stockings!)

The final play from the Young Portonians was The Queen Must Die. The young cast were praised for their strong vocal performances, and believable delivery.

Alan Clark, Director of Pugilist Specialist, said: "I'm delighted we were performing the Scottish amateur premiere of this gripping new play which is part thriller and part black farce.

“It's ice-cold, razor-sharp contemporary theatre that we tried to tackle with style, pace and intensity, and we're proud to be representing our District in Cupar next month."

The full list of prizes is as follows –

The Porteous Salver (runner-up),The Margaret Miller Quaich (Adjudicator's Award) and The Lillias Scougall Trophy (Audience Appreciation Award) went to The Young Portonian Theatre Company - Junior Team with The Queen Must Die

East Stirlingshire District Trophy (winner),The Rose Bowl Award (stage / costume / lighting / sound) and The Barker Quaich (production) went to Tryst Theatre C with Pugilist Specialist by Adriano Shaplin.

Tryst Theatre will perform at the Eastern Division Final in the Corn Exchange, Cupar, on Friday, March 30. The adjudicator is Mr Jim Gibson.

The Young Portonians will represent Falkirk District at the Eastern Division Youth Final in Bowhouse Community Centre, Grangemouth, on the evening of Saturday, March 17th, at 6.00pm. Tickets £6 (£4.50 conc) available at the door. The adjudicator is Brian Marjoribanks.

(article reproduced by kind permission of the Falkirk Herald)