Buddy marvellous!

IAN CURRAN (centre), who stepped in at the last minute as Buddy Holly, is pictured with cast members Daniel Winters (left) and Phil Harrison

AN Oldham musical group is the best in the North-West for its Oldham Coliseum production of “Buddy”.

Congress Players has won the best musical award at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association presentation night in Blackpool.

The group, which stages an annual musical and raises thousands of pounds for charity, was nominated in four 2007 categories: best musical, best producer, best leading man and best supporting actor.

And on the night the group also discovered it had won best souvenir programme for the show, staged at Oldham Coliseum, and featuring the life and death of Buddy Holly, the 1950s rock n’ roller, famous for his glasses.

Congress vice-chairman Paul Osbaldeston said the group had 12 members at the Blackpool awards night, and they were delighted with their achievements.

He said: “The awards were very hard-won because three weeks before ‘Buddy’ opened, three members of the cast were injured in a car accident, and two weeks before we lost our leading man.”

But actor Ian Curran was able to take over as Holly and won rave reviews, particularly from the Evening Chronicle.

This year Congress is concentrating on fund-raising, but plans a return with a big-name musical in 2009.

The company is well known for staging shows which have only recently been released for amateur productions.

Paul said: “We have one or two options, but there is not a lot being released at the moment. Whatever it is, it will be a really good night.”

To raise funds for next year, Congress Players will stage a big band night for two performances only.

An 18-piece band, Sounds 18, and invited singers will perform a swing experience at Oldham Coliseum on Saturday, July 19, at 4pm and 8pm.

Tickets are available for the box office on 0161-624 2829.