A Harrogate actor has won a theatre festival award after fearing she might never be able to learn lines again following brain surgery.
Katherine Andrew underwent surgery in 2022 to remove a colloid cyst that had been causing her pain and discomfort.
She later noticed changes to her short-term memory and questioned whether she could return to acting.
After training as a voice-over artist in 2024, Katherine decided to pursue acting and voice-over work full-time when she turned 40 in February this year.
Her return to the stage came in May, when she was offered the lead role of Susan in Man Vs Magpie, a comedy farce directed by James Reilly for the Short+Sweet theatre festival.
The production reached the final, and James received the Best Breakthrough Artist award for his first time directing.
Katherine was then offered a 10-minute monologue, I’m Thrilled to Announce, written by Fiona Georgiou Hunt.
Learning it presented the challenge she had worried about since her surgery.
She said:
“I didn’t know whether I could learn it.
“If you want something badly enough, you don’t give up. You keep going and going.
"Sometimes you have to prove to yourself that you can still do it.”
Her performance went on to win Best in Fest.
Katherine said the achievement meant more to her than the award.
After years of running a catering business, followed by illness and uncertainty about her acting career, it showed her she could return to the work she loved.
She credited Short+Sweet and Creative Harrogate with giving her the opportunities to perform again.
The arts organisation is currently looking for permanent premises in Harrogate where people can create and connect.
Katherine said:
“My journey has reminded me that sometimes the biggest challenge is simply believing in yourself again.
"I am choosing to believe in myself, my voice and my ability to perform."
Check out Katherine's acting and voiceover website here: www.katherine-andrew.co.uk.
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