ILMINSTER Entertainment Society (IES) has won the Western Area Final after maintaining an eight-year winning streak at the Somerset County Drama Festival earlier this year.
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, Ilminster Entertainment Society from The Warehouse Theatre, who performed Knockin' on Dave's Door by Neil Webster, won both the Broughton Chatwin Memorial Trophy for being the overall winner and the Dennis Dunsford Award for stage presentation.
This meant they walked away with two out of three trophies at the Merlin Theatre, Frome, for the 2026 Western Area Final.
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A spokesperson for Ilminster Warehouse Theatre said: “Their hard work, creativity and commitment brought this production to life and we’re delighted to see that recognised.
“We’d also like to congratulate all the other groups who took part – the standard throughout the festival was exceptionally high, and it was a privilege to perform alongside such talented companies.”
Mick Glynn, who played Bob Dylan said: “We are all absolutely delighted to win through to represent the West of England in the All England Final.
“This is the second year running that Ilminster Entertainments Society has reached the national final. We are so proud to literally put Ilminster on the national stage.”
Ken Cooper, the play’s director, said: “We were thrilled to win the Western Area Final for Somerset. The competition was fierce, so we were pleasantly surprised. We’re proud to be able to represent Ilminster in the All-England Final in Leicester.
"The next phase of the competition will be in Leicester, where Knockin’ on Dave’s Door will be performed by IES."
The cast, which includes Mick Glynn, Ash Stockton, Rosie Hawkins, Paula Denning and Mick Crook, will be representing the Western Area at the All England Theatre Festival grand final on May 30.
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