After 20 years away from the stage, Leny Woolsey has made a thrilling return, winning a Zony Award for her memorable portrayal of Mrs Wormwood in Theatre Whakatane’s production of Matilda the Musical.

Woolsey received the award for Outstanding Supporting Female Role in a Musical at the 2026 Zony Awards in Rotorua on Saturday night.

The awards celebrate the best community theatre productions from across the central North Island.

Directed by Trace Tidd, Matilda the Musical was staged at Whakatane Little Theatre in May.

Its large cast brought Roald Dahl’s much-loved story to life through Dennis Kelly’s script and Tim Minchin’s witty songs.

For Woolsey, now a council manager, the production marked her first serious stage appearance in decades.

“I hadn’t been on stage in 20 years,” she said.

Woolsey earned a bachelor’s degree in acting from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh before working professionally for about four-and-a-half years in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Her varied career included Edinburgh Festival shows, touring productions, Shakespeare, children’s educational theatre, pantomime, radio voiceovers, independent films and London productions.

After moving to Whakatāne, she became aware of Theatre Whakatane’s work but resisted getting involved because of the time commitment while raising young children.

Her daughters’ involvement with Stage Door Performing Arts Academy eventually brought her into contact with principal Trace Tidd. Woolsey helped with singing coaching and conducted the academy’s Voices Choir for a couple of years.

The opportunity to audition for Matilda arose when her younger daughter, Petra, expressed an interest in joining the production.

“She said, ‘Mum, I’d really like to be in that,’” Woolsey said. “I said, ‘If you audition, I’ll audition.’”

Woolsey was delighted to be cast as Mrs Wormwood, Matilda’s shallow, loud and self-absorbed mother and the comedic villain of the show. The production became a family affair, with Petra appearing on stage and Woolsey’s older daughter working with the sound team.

“The whole experience exceeded expectations because I got to introduce both my girls to theatre for the first time,” she said.

“The joy of the community coming together to produce something we were all really proud of – that was magic.”

Her hilariously over-the-top performance was a highlight of the production, although Woolsey credits much of its success to the strength of the material.

“Tim Minchin is a creative genius,” she said. “The lyrics, the musicality and the comedy were largely all there, so I didn’t have to add a lot.”

She also rediscovered the distinctive excitement of live performance.

“”There’s something in the thrill of bringing the character to life in the moment. ... on stage you’ve got one shot and it’s quite electric. It’s a really special kind of energy.”

Woolsey is honoured to have won Outstanding Female Supporting Role – and was stunned by the number and quality of productions represented at the awards.

“I realised it was quite a big deal. Even to be a finalist is still a real achievement.”

While audiences may hope to see her perform again, Woolsey is making no commitments.

“I wouldn’t rule it out, but it would have to be the right show and the right director.”