UK Theatre has announced the winners of this year’s prestigious UK Theatre Awards with Show Boat, which transferred to the New London Theatre following its run at Sheffield Theatre, receiving three awards including Best Musical Production, Best Supporting Performance for Rebecca Trehearn, and Best Design for Lez Brotherston.
Also honoured at the ceremony was Sir Ian McKellen, who collected the award for Outstanding Contribution To British Theatre in recognition of his tireless work both in championing diversity and for his commitment to theatre, including touring productions, across the country. Sir Ian can currently be seen in No Man’s Land at the Wyndham’s Theatre alongside Sir Patrick Stewart. Vanessa Redgrave was the recipient of this year’s Gielgud Award For Excellence In The Dramatic Arts. Vanessa won an Olivier award in 1984 for her performance in The Aspen Papers.
The ceremony was compered by Olivier Award winner Lesley Manville with presenters including School Of Rock star Preeya Kalidas and Drew McOnie who is set to choreograph and direct The Wild Party when St. James Theatre reopens as The Other Palace.
The UK Theatre Awards are the only awards to honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom.
Fiona Allan, President of UK Theatre, said: “The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the world class theatre that is performed on stages across the country and demonstrates the breadth and depth of outstanding talent. It is also important that we recognise the venues and the teams that run them. As centres of artistic and creative excellence, our local theatres are a vital part of all our communities.”
For more information on UK Theatre visit uktheatre.org
UK THEATRE AWARDS 2016 WINNERS
Best New Play
CUTTIN’ IT by Charlene James, a Young Vic/Royal Court Theatre co-production with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Sheffield Theatres and The Yard Theatre
Best Musical Production
FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS directed by Daniel Evans, a Sheffield Theatres Production
AND
SHOW BOAT directed by Daniel Evans, a Sheffield Theatres production
Best Touring Production
THE HERBAL BED directed by James Dacre, a co-production by Royal & Derngate Northampton, English Touring Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston
Best Show For Children And Young People
THE HOBBIT, a The Dukes production
Best Director
Raz Shaw for WIT, a Royal Exchange Theatre production
Best Performance In A Play
Paapa Essiedu for HAMLET, a Royal Shakespeare Company production
Best Performance In A Musical
Clare Burt for FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS, a Sheffield Theatres Production
Best Supporting Performance
Rebecca Trehearn for SHOW BOAT, a Sheffield Theatres production
Best Design
Lez Brotherston for FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS and SHOW BOAT, a Sheffield Theatres productions
Achievement In Opera
The Royal Opera and Guildhall School Of Music and Drama for 4.48 PSYCHOSIS in association with the Lyric Hammersmith
Achievement in Dance
Gary Clarke for COAL
Promotion Of Diversity
Belgrade Theatre
Theatre Employee Or Manager Of The Year
Diane Belding – Liverpool Empire Theatre
Achievement In Marketing
Northern Ballet
The Renee Stepham Award For Best Presentation Of Touring Theatre
Northern Stage
UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre in association with Smooth Radio
The Mill at Sonning
Clothworkers’ Award
Northern Stage
Outstanding Contribution To British Theatre
Ian McKellen
The Gielgud Award For Excellence In The Dramatic Arts
Vanessa Redgrave