MALDON Drama Group is making plans for 2021 – and these could include putting on an open air production at the Prom.

The group's members were only a month away from putting on their spring show, Much Ado About Nothing, when Covid struck and it was cancelled.

Following on from that, the group's planned summer and autumn productions also had to be cancelled.

But after the group's best year ever in 2019, having put on three comedies and selling more than 550 tickets for The Vicar of Dibley, the committee decided that they wouldn't shy away from planning an ambitious 2021.

Chairman Scott Peters told Maldon Nub News: "We are hoping that we will be able to perform our spring production in April 2021 in the Town Hall. However, this will of course be dictated by the government guidance at the time.

"As a contingency we are exploring the options of hiring the Amphitheatre at the Prom in June/July 2021 if only outdoor performances are being permitted at this time."

Success in the North Essex Theatre Guild Awards

Despite a difficult and disappointing 2020 for the group, a highlight has come in the form of awards and nominations for the North Essex Theatre Guild Awards (NETG) for 2019-2020.

Scott said: "The Vicar of Dibley was our only production to be eligible for this year's awards due to the cancellations of our other shows for the season and we received two nominations."

Dave Ford was nominated for Best Supporting Actor as Jim Trott and Heather Lucas for Best Supporting Actress as Alice Tinker – and Heather scooped the award, too.

Heather was presented her trophy by Scott in The Queen Victoria pub in Maldon last week, as the usual NETG awards night was held virtually vis YouTube due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The two other comedies produced by Maldon Drama Group last year were included in the NETG's 2018-19 season. Both Hi-Di-Hi and The 39 Steps received numerous nominations as follows, as well as 1984 from 2018:

Terry Sadler Memorial Trophy for Front of House: Hi-De-Hi

Norman Harris Trophy - Adjudicators Award: Realism and conviction of torture scenes in 1984

Best Supporting Actor: Scott Peters in The 39 Steps

David Knight Shield for Best Actor: Paul Macklin in 1984

Best Actress: Heather Lucas in The 39 Steps