Maisie Edwards plays in Cole Porter musical Anything Goes at St Mary in the Castle in 2018. Photo: Peter Mould

Maisie’s road to stardom

Congratulations to Maisie Edwards for becoming the first recipient of the Molly Townson bursary award in memory of the late Chair of the Hastings Musical Festival. The annual bursary was set up soon after Molly’s sudden passing away in May 2019, writes Chris Cormack.

The Bursary Fund supports the studies of a student who has competed in the Hastings Musical Festival and is pursuing a career in the performing arts. The 2020 Molly Townson Bursary of £3,000 has been awarded to Maisie Edwards, who has taken part in the Hastings Musical Festival over many years.

Molly Townson, much loved Chair of HIMF

“Molly was an inspiration to several generations of singers and performers, and this is our chance to remember her, and her musical life, joyfully together,” a spokesperson from the Hastings Musical Festival said at the time of the Molly Townson tribute in October 2019.

Maisie Edwards is an accomplished dancer and singer and has won gold, silver and bronze medals for dancing as well as other trophies over the years. She also works to help younger students at Lacey Theatre Arts and in the Wings Youth Theatre, not to mention being a creative learning tutor with White Rock Theatre.

Maisie said: “I am so thankful, grateful and feel so honoured to have received this bursary in memory of Molly Townson. I hope to be taking up a position at Bird College on a three-year Musical Theatre Degree Course (BA hons). I will keep in close contact with the Hastings Musical Festival over the many years to come and also keep them informed of my progression.”

Maisie has already taken some impressive steps towards a professional career with her role in Anything Goes with the Renaissance Theatre Company in 2018 (see above picture) and her performance in the Aladdin pantomime at the White Rock Theatre last Christmas.

Donate to the Molly Townson Bursary Fund.

Peter Mould Photography tel: 01424 440484

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