Ruby Tapp was one of two cast members of the play Kin, by Max Dickins, which was chosen to compete at the National Drama Festival in Birmingham last Friday, against 12 other plays after its success in the Guernsey One-Act Play Festival in May.
Co-starring Danielle Allen and directed by Naomi Leach, the Gadoc presentation told the story of two estranged sisters who meet after 20 years in a remote cottage where their father is dying.
Miss Tapp said she had generally focused on musical theatre previously, so taking on a dramatic role was something different for her.
She was surprised to find out she had won the best actress award.
‘I was totally shocked,’ she said.
The small team who went to Birmingham for the festival were unable to stay for the awards at the end, so they ended up having to watch it online, with Miss Tapp tuning in from Majorca, where she had gone on holiday.
‘The connection was really bad. They did the nominations first and even being nominated I was completely shocked and overwhelmed.
‘I’m not even sure [winning] has sunk in yet.’
Miss Tapp studied musical theatre at Performers’ College in London and is currently teaching dance at the Guernsey Academy of Theatre Arts. When she was 12 she was part of a GATE team that took part in a national dance festival, where she won a gold award for a solo performance.
The play’s success at the Guernsey festival made it eligible to be staged at the national event, funding for the trip's expenses was generously provided by Guernsey Arts and Gadoc and by staging a fundraising performance, alongside another local high-scoring play, Rats, in June.
Kin director Naomi Leach said it had been a good experience going to the festival with the play, although it was challenging since she also had to organise the trip.
Although she has directed productions before while at university, she said this was the first one she had tackled in Guernsey.
She, Miss Tapp and Miss Allen had previously performed together in Gadoc’s musical version of 9 to 5 in 2023.
She was pleased at the response the play received and delighted at Miss Tapp’s success. ‘I’m really, really proud of her,’ she said.
‘Gadoc are so proud of Naomi and her Kin team – actors Danielle and Ruby and stage manager Emily Masterton – for representing the club and Guernsey on the national stage,’ said a Gadoc spokesman.
‘Huge congratulations to Ruby on such a funny and powerful “best actress” performance.’
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