THE curtain is set to rise for the cream of mid Cheshire's theatrical finest at the ninth Guardian Rose Bowl Awards.

On Saturday night the area's talent will be acknowledged at Northwich Memorial Hall and highlights from some of the past year's productions will be showcased throughout the evening.

Davenham and Sandiway players will perform an excerpt from The Musicians, Vale Royal Amateur Operatic Society will perform a section of Calamity Jane and Frodsham Pantomime Group will showcase a segment from Snow White.

Other performances will include excerpts from Moulton Drama Group's Hindle Wakes, Harlequin Player's A Cat on A Hot Tin Roof and Factory Academy of Dramatic Arts' Wicked.

Categories for this year's awards include set, costume, technical, choreography, musical group, musical director, youth production, pantomime and young performer as well as school/college, director/producer, supporting actress, supporting actor, actress, actor and overall excellence. A service to the arts award will also be presented and a new category has been added to this year's event, courtesy of Moulton Drama Group, and the winner of the Jack Hetherington Award for comedy will be revealed on the night, as will the Rose Bowl Award for best production.

The awards ceremony starts at 7.30pm and drama groups who have not yet reserved a table should contact entertainment reporter Gemma Sproston on 01606 813624.

Prize sponsors for this year's Rose Bowl Awards include: AJ Parkes Working Jewellers, Amanico, Eurocamp, Frank Robert and Sons Ltd, Gaynor Cheadle's Curtain Magic and Tesco.

l There are still a number of trophies that need to be returned to the Guardian office as a matter of urgency. The following trophies are still outstanding: Best Technical, Harlequin Players; Best Youth Production, Factory Academy of Dramatic Arts; Service to the Arts Awards, Emma Matthews and Richard Ellis; Young Performer of the Year, Phil Cross, Sir John Deane's College; Best Actress, Judy Carter, Davenham and Sandiway Players; Overall Excellence; Sir John Deane's College; Best Production, Harlequin Players.