Conrad adds sound to his own career

Conrad Kemp with the award he won for best sound design at the Pantomime Awards.

After years of enhancing shows at St Helens Theatre Royal with great sound and special effects, sound designer Conrad Kemp has heard the sound of winning himself - by being named best sound designer at the UK’s fifth annual Pantomime Awards.

Conrad was honoured at an awards ceremony on Sunday for his work on St Helens’ hit Christmas show Dick Whittington and his Magical Cat. And it was third time’s a charm for the Liverpool-based sound technician, who has been nominated three times in the past four years.

The St Helens theatre’s Christmas production was also in contention for the award for best panto for a theatre of its size in the hard-fought annual awards, organised by the UK Pantomime Association.

Regal Entertainments Ltd, which operates the Theatre Royal, produces four pantomimes a year, at Easter, Christmas and for February and October half term holidays. The Christmas Dick Whittington was enjoyed by 40,000 people.

Conrad said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to receive this award. Working with Regal Entertainments and at the theatre has never just felt like a job, it’s always felt like being part of a family.

“This is a very proud moment, and I’m truly honoured.”

Panto director and Theatre Manager Chantelle Joseph said: “I’m incredibly proud of Conrad – that he has been nominated three times in the past four years shows the amazing quality of his work, and now that has been recognised.

“Conrad really does everything when it comes to sound on our pantomimes; every cue, every effect, every moment you hear has his touch on it.

“It was a fantastic awards evening, and though we didn’t manage to make it a double celebration, I’m extremely grateful to all our wonderful casts and creatives.”

The awards had more than 20 categories overseen by 52 judges, who visited 216 venues and watched almost 500 performances.