Morag Simpson wins BEM
Saughtonhall director recognised in New Year honours
Morag Simpson, a member of Saughtonhall Drama Group since 1961, received a B.E.M. in the New Years Honours.
The British Empire Medal has been given to Morag “for services to amateur dramatics in Edinburgh”.
Morag Simpson winning the ENDA for Best Play in 2010. Photo Saughtonhall Drama Company
Morag has appeared on the stage in various acting roles since the 1950s. In 1961 she joined the Saughtonhall Drama Group which meet and perform at Saughtonhall United Reformed Church.
She first took up the director’s reigns in 1981 and has since directed 37 productions, more than any other director in the company’s history.
As a director, Morag has been at the helm since the company first participated in the fringe in 2002. She steered the company to the runner up position in the Evening News Drama Awards with comedy Hatches Matches & Dispatches, returning to win the Best Play trophy in 2010 for with cold war drama Pack of Lies.
Describing Morag as a “A great encourager”, Saughtonhall’s technical manager Mark Kirkbride told Æ: “By casting and encouragement Morag has enabled a number of people to achieve a lifetime ambition to appear on stage.”
ENDS
