THE Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society has won two National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) North West awards for its production of HMS Pinafore.
In her directorial debut for the society Val Cowley won the award for best director of the north-west region while Iain Dixon, in his first principal role with the society, won the most promising newcomer in a musical award.
The society's chairman Karl Cubbon said: "These awards recognise the outstanding contributions given by Val and Iain to our 2009 production of HMS Pinafore, these efforts serving to fight off superb competition for these awards from across the north west and the Isle of Man.
"In particular, the best director award for Val is a fantastic recognition of all the months of hard work she put in behind the scenes in producing this show while the award for Iain shows what a wonderful talent he is and highlights that he is someone to watch for the future."
The north west region of NODA has 36 members, three of which are from the Isle of Man - the Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the Manx Operatic Society and Douglas Choral Union.
The Manx Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be starting rehearsals on January 14 2011 at All Saint's Church Hall, Douglas, for its March concerts and rehearsals for the society's next production, the Gondoliers, will begin in April.
