24:7 shows win two MEN Awards

At the 2009 Manchester Evening News Awards 24:7 Theatre won in two categories

Best Fringe Production
As We Forgive Them
by Richard Vergette

The judges said: “Another brilliant year at 24:7 very nearly gave the festival of new writing a clean sweep in this category with the likes of Alistair McDowall’s provocative 5:30, Richard Vergette’s searing As We Forgive Them, Steve Pearce’s intelligent Freshers and Eve Steele’s inventive Lub You standing out amidst a very impressive batch. The set of short plays at the new J.B. Shorts evening, where now-established TV and radio writers return to their pub theatre roots, were also greatly enjoyed. But, by a short head, it was As We Forgive Them that finally took the prize.”

Best Fringe Performance
Eve Steele
for her performance in Lub You (which, by the way, she also wrote!)

The judges said: “An actual clean sweep for 24:7 in this category, with many of the same plays - Freshers, As We Forgive Them and Lub You - demanding further attention for their performances. Christine Clare from Freshers, Eve Steele for Lub You and both performances in As We Forgive Them, namely Richard Vergette and Joe Sims, socked it out with Nicholas Osmond’s near-standup turn in Phys-Ed. Our judges ended up agreeing with audiences at the festival that it was Eve Steele who stood out.”