FALKIRK'S Tryst Theatre swept the boards at a major English drama festival at the weekend.

The club’s new play Art by Yasmina Reza took first place plus three other trophies at the prestigious event in Felixstowe – for Best Acting, Best Stage Presentation and a special Adjudicator’s Award for one of the cast, Craig Murray.

The win has delighted the club who this weekend are on the road again with the play, this time heading for another top drama festival at Welwyn Garden City north of London.

Tryst Chairman Frank Murray explained: “Art is a very popular comedy in which the three actors – Craig Murray, Brian Paterson and Alan Clark - perform somewhere between the elegance of The Three Tenors and the slapstick of The Three Stooges.

“It’s a comedy of crisis. Serge has bought a modern abstract painting for a huge sum of money. Marc is disgusted and cannot believe that a friend of his could possibly want such a ghastly work. Yvan attempts, unsuccessfully, to placate both sides while struggling with the plans for his wedding.

“We were delighted to be placed first at Felixstowe. And everyone at Tryst is thrilled for Craig who was singled out by adjudicator Tony Rushforth to receive a special trophy for a huge speech he has in act one. Mr Rushforth said it was the best monologue he had ever witnessed.”

Frank added: “It was a real team effort on the night. The cast were brilliantly supported by Jim Allan on lights, David Allan on sound, Carol Allan on continuity, Brian Tripney on props and Jimmy Cairns who took care of stage management and transport.”

Tryst are now hoping for more success at the Welwyn Festival when they perform Art on Saturday night.

Our picture shows the three Tryst “artisans” – from left Brian Paterson, Craig Murray and Alan Clark.