LAOS are the best – and that’s official.

The Loughborough theatre company had an afternoon to remember at the NODA Awards at the Town Hall when their production of Aida scooped the top award on the day, the Hinks-Cole Trophy for the best musical in the East Midlands in the last 12 months.

And not content with one award, the group also won the Standard Key Cup for the Best Standard Programme, again for Aida, as well as being nominated for Best Poster and the Best Show in their area award.

But it was the big one, the Hinks-Cole Trophy for the best overall show in the region, that was the stand-out moment on the day for the group.

Thrilled LAOS chairman Natalie Littlewood said: I am extremely proud of Laos, we are a very talented group and all those involved in Aida loved every minute of it.”

“Thanks go to our production team, director Jez Malpas, musical director Kate King and choreographer Julie Easter, who we can’t wait to work with again.”

“Thank you of course, to the cast as well, it is a privilege to work with such passionate and talented people.”

“And obviously, we are “very, very thankful to NODA for recognising LAOS’ hard work and honouring us with this award.”

Aida’s production was a premiere for Loughborough.

Written by Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice, Aida was based on Verdi’s opera of the same name and centred on conflict between Egypt and Nubia and told the story of a forbidden and ultimately doomed love affair between Aida, the captured princess of Nubia, and Radames, the Egyptian captain who enslaved her people.