The prestigious Minack Trophy has this year been awarded to a St Albans theatre company for their production of As You Like It.

Set in the Summer of Love, OVO’s musical interpretation of Shakespeare’s popular comedy of genders was a resounding success at both the Roman Theatre at Verulamium and the world-renowned Minack Theatre in Cornwall, enjoying sell out performances at both venues.

Already overwhelmed by the positive responses from audience members at both venues, as well as Minack Theatre Trustees and staff, the cast and crew of As You Like It were delighted to be told that they had won the coveted Minack Trophy for the best production to be staged at the theatre in 2016; a title that has never before been bestowed upon a company in their debut year at the theatre.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been given this incredibly prestigious award” commented OVO’s Artistic Director, Adam Nichols. “Our aim when we went down to Cornwall was to perform well enough to be invited back, which we have been, but to have been thought of as worthy of the trophy is such an honour.”

As well as winning the trophy, As You Like It also broke the record for audience attendance for the second week in June at the Minack with over 4,200 people coming to see the show.

With rehearsals for its autumn season already underway, OVO is not resting on its laurels and will be staging productions of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, and August Strindberg’s The Ghost Sonata this November, as well as the ever popular Food of Love at Christmas jazz event. Full details of the forthcoming season can be found on OVO’s website at www.ovotheatre.org.uk.