A Maldon Drama Group cast member bagged a prestigious prize at this year's North Essex Theatre Guild (NETG) awards.

Martin Adams won the Alan Meekings Award for Best Supporting Actor, following his performance as the ancient and accident-prone waiter Alfie in One Man 2 Guvnors, staged last October.

Award-winning fellow cast member Carey Brown told Nub News: "To say that Martin was shocked to hear his name called out at the award dinners last Friday is an understatement - it rendered him almost speechless.

"Anyone who knows Martin knows what a shock that is!

"However, he took to the stage and gave an amusing speech in which he said a huge 'thank you' to the whole group - it really is a team effort!"

Martin and his fellow cast members were trained in stage combat by Kiel O'Shea. (Photo: David Weller)

Martin did not start acting until his mid-forties but says as soon as he picked up a script, he was "hooked". He is now a regular cast member in Maldon Drama Group's productions.

Next month, Martin will play Rabbi Bloom, a supporting but vital role in the group's latest production, Cable Street Blues.

In January 2024, fans of Martin can catch him in panto as Little Eric in Maldon Pantomime Society's production of Cinderella.

When not on stage, Martin can be found on Hythe Quay, performing with one of the local Morris sides. But don't hold that against him.

Plaudits also went to Maldon Drama Group's other award nominees, Ghislaine Davis, Heather Sims, Karen Smith and Carey Brown, director Helen Rasmussen and the cast of Much Ado About Nothing.

Maldon Drama Group's next production, Cable Street Blues, was written by cast member Neil Fisher. It focuses on East London in the 1920s, exploring the rise of Mosley and fascism.

Read more

• Five jobs available in Maldon right now: Dog stylist at Pets At Home, Morrisons customer assistant, waiting staff, and more
• What's On: Heritage Open Days in Maldon this week
• WATCH: Carl Wakefield looks back on eight years as Executive Principal at Maldon's Plume Academy