Results are in! - BAP Festival of Plays (July 2026)
Updated: Aug 8
The curtain may have fallen on the BAP Festival of Plays July 2026, but the conversations sparked by this year's productions are only just beginning.
Held by Black Arts Production (BAP) Theatre, our annual Festival of Plays once again showcased the creativity, courage and talent of emerging performers, giving audiences an evening of original theatre that entertained, challenged and inspired. From stories exploring racism and identity to family loyalty and hidden truths, this year's festival proved that theatre remains one of the most powerful ways to start important conversations.
As we celebrate another successful festival, we're delighted to announce our 2026 award winners.
🏆 Best Play: Supermalt
Taking home the award for Best Play, Supermalt captivated audiences with its fearless exploration of racism, microaggressions and the damaging effects of assumed superiority.
The production invited audiences to confront uncomfortable truths while reminding us of the importance of empathy, understanding and listening to voices that are too often ignored.
Congratulations to the outstanding cast:
Joanne Lewis as Karen
Belinda Everiste as Shaniqua
Nicola Ambersley as Becky
A huge thank you also goes to everyone behind the scenes whose creativity and dedication helped bring this powerful production to life.
🏆 Best Actress: Nicola Ambersley
Following her unforgettable performance as Becky in Supermalt, Nicola Ambersley was awarded Best Actress.
Her honest, emotionally layered portrayal helped bring the play's themes to life with authenticity and compassion. Through nuanced storytelling and commanding stage presence, Nicola delivered a performance that resonated long after the final curtain call.
A thoroughly deserved recognition for an exceptional performer.
🏆 Best Actor: O.G Dawodu
This year's Best Actor award goes to O.G Dawodu for his remarkable performance in Last Loaf.
Set inside a family bakery preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Last Loaf explored loyalty, trust, family dynamics and the difficult question of how well we truly know the people closest to us.
O.G's heartfelt and compelling performance grounded the story with warmth and emotional honesty, making him a standout throughout the festival.
Congratulations on a fantastic achievement.
Celebrating Our Festival Director
The festival also brought a special moment of recognition for our incredible Festival Director, Judith Jacob.
Her passion for theatre, commitment to nurturing emerging talent and dedication to creating opportunities for diverse voices continue to shape everything BAP Theatre stands for. Receiving this award during the festival was a fitting celebration of the countless hours, creativity and leadership she invests in every production and every student.
We couldn't be prouder to celebrate her achievements and look forward to many more unforgettable productions under her guidance.
More Than a Theatre Festival
The BAP Festival of Plays isn't just about awards - it's about creating opportunities.
Every rehearsal, workshop and performance gives aspiring actors the chance to develop professionally, build confidence and perform original work in front of live audiences. Many of our performers begin with little or no stage experience before discovering a passion that transforms both their confidence and their creative ambitions.
Whether your goal is to become a professional actor, improve your public speaking, meet like-minded creatives or simply try something new, BAP Theatre provides a welcoming environment where talent is nurtured and voices are heard.
Join the next generation of BAP performers
If this year's festival has inspired you, why not become part of the next chapter?
Our drama classes offer practical training in acting, improvisation, script development, voice, movement and theatre production, giving participants the opportunity to develop their skills while working towards original live performances.
Whether you're stepping onto the stage for the very first time or looking to build on previous experience, we'd love to welcome you to the BAP community.
As we celebrate another unforgettable Festival of Plays, we'd like to congratulate all of our performers, creatives, volunteers and supporters who made July 2026 such a success.
Stay tuned for exciting announcements, future productions and upcoming drama classes. The next BAP story could be yours.
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