AN amateur dramatic club from Flackwell Heath won a hat-trick of awards at a recent drama festival despite only being in their first year as a club.

The Mavericks won three trophies at the Henley Drama Festival last week for their performance of ‘Bee Friends’.

The group won the awards for ‘Bee Friends’ a “light hearted, fun play that also delivers a message about the important role that the bumble bees play in our environment”.

The five winning cast members were Lauren Macaree (the Bee), Charlotte McCornick (the Spider), Chloe Robinson (the human), Shona McCrae (the Woodlouse) and Henrietta Joseph-Green (the Ant).

June Vaughan of the Mavericks said: “The play was very well received, both by the adjudicator and the audience – the laughter kept coming after nearly every single line.

“It was also a great experience for the cast, to be in front of a different audience, and to hear the views of an experienced thespian critiquing their performance.”

All in all, a good haul for the Mavericks: their first trophies won as a group, but undoubtedly the first of many in the years to come.”

She added the adjudicator particularly liked the originality of the play, the overall message and he liked the “streetwiseness”.

Also noted for the Mavericks was the ‘backdrop’ to their production.

The Mavericks was started to allow youth to take part in all aspects of a production, including performing, lighting, set design, makeup and costume.

Members even take part in the writing of the plays they put on and how they are directed, and although many of its members are under 20, people of any age are welcome to join.

The group rehearse twice a week, alternating between St Mary's Pastoral Centre, Wooburn Green and Flackwell Heath Community Centre.

For more information about the Mavericks please visit: www.themavericks.org.uk