A Beccles theatre group director has been recognised with a special award for his work on a unique production.

Andy Osborne was honoured with the Standing Ovation Award by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) for his direction of Spotlight Musical Theatre Group’s Summer 2017 show, Quadrophenia.

After directing the NODA award nominated stage musical Tommy by the 1960s group The Who; Mr Osborne embarked upon a year-long negotiation with Pete Townshend’s production company to gain his agreement to stage the unique musical Quadrophenia, written by Stockport based group NK Theatre Arts.

The result was a first for the Spotlight Musical Theatre Group as they were only the fifth group in the world to have been given permission to present the stage adaptation from the 1973 soundtrack of The Who’s rock opera.

Many will remember the 1979 film featuring Phil Daniels, Leslie Ash, Phil Davis, Mark Wingett, Sting, Ray Winstone and many more well known actors and musicians whose story captured the spirit of the mods vs rockers battles on the Brighton seafront.

Quadrophenia was also nominated for Best Musical Award at the NODA Eastern Regional Awards - which was won by Gorleston Theatre Company with Me and my Girl.

Mr Osborne said: “What an honour to be presented this award in recognition of two years work in order to bring a stage musical adaptation of Quadrophenia to the stage.

“I could not have fully achieved this without the hard work and dedication by my production team, musical director, Brian Parker, co-musical director Simon Howe, choreographer Natasha Bird and creative direction Emma Benest-Bartram.

“Of course, not to mention my fantastically talented cast, crew, tech team and the band. To pinch a quote from Pete Townshend, when talking about Quadrophenia, ‘It’s one I’m immensely proud of’.”

The Standing Ovation Award is presented for something special or different not recognised elsewhere at the ceremony, with credit going to Mr Osborne for getting the show in the first place, along with the effort to bring it and it’s music to the stage, his belief and commitment to the show.

The award was presented to Mr Osborne at the end of their latest Spotlight show - Summer Holiday - at Beccles Public Hall on Saturday.