On Sunday 13 May 2018, Mousetrap Theatre Projects’ Youth Forum presented the 7th annual Mousetrap Awards ceremony at the Charing Cross Theatre.
The Mousetrap Awards are the only theatre awards voted upon solely by young theatregoers aged 15-23, and this year over 1000 people voted and helped to name 12 outstanding West End shows and performers as winners:
• ‘Best Feel Good Show’, won by Kinky Boots and collected by Simon-Anthony Rhoden and Keith Higham
• ‘Show You Came Out Dancing To’, won by Five Guys Named Moe and collected by Dex Lee (who played Know Moe)
• ‘Best Female Performer’, won and collected by Rachel John as Angelica in Hamilton
• ‘Most Heart-Stopping Show’, won by The Ferryman and collected by Francis Mezza (plays Shane Corcoran)
• ‘Soundtrack Of My Soul’, won by Hamilton and collected by Obioma Ugoala (plays George Washington)
• ‘Best Male Performer’, won and collected by Layton Williams as Angel in RENT
• ‘Best Finale’, won by Kinky Boots and collected by Dominic Tribuzio and Rosie Glossop
• ‘Aesthetic On Point’ won by The Grinning Man and collected by Sanne den Besten (who played Dea)
• ‘Performer Who Saved The Day’, won and collected by Adam Bayjou as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables
• ‘Couldn’t Wait For It To Open’, won by Five Guys Named Moe and collected by Dex Lee (played Know Moe)
• ‘Best Ensemble’, won by Hamilton and collected by Miriam-Teak Lee (plays Cover Angelica/Eliza/Peggy)
• ‘Friendliest Venue’, won by The Old Vic and collected by Maia Kirkman-Richards and Sophie Moniram
An audience of over 150 people – among them award nominees, Mousetrap supporters and friends of the Youth Forum, were all in attendance at the 90-minute Awards ceremony, opened by West End stars Liisi LaFontaine and Asmeret Ghebremichael of Dreamgirls.
Youth Forum members Moniece Mullings, Bryony Relf, Dylan Johnson and Ruth Nade showcased their skills as talented young presenters, confidently compering the show and keeping the crowds entertained in between the big announcements.
There were stand-out performances of from singers Chiara Lari and Phoebe Bryant, gospel singer-songwriter Temi (AKA Melo-G), hip-hop dancer Holly Higginson, performer Mollie Gallagher and spoken word artist Amaris Powell.
New girl group MU4, winners of ITV’s Sing It To Win It, delivered the final performance of the evening – a stunning rendition of You Can’t Hurry Love – before Clive Rowe MBE, patron of Mousetrap Theatre Projects, closed the show with a touching tribute to the organisation’s work and high praise for all the young performers, presenters and behind-the-scenes Youth Forum team who helped to make the whole spectacular event happen.
Mousetrap Theatre Projects is a theatre education charity dedicated to bringing the magic of theatre into the lives of young people. It opens the doors to all that London’s vibrant theatre scene has to offer – particularly for young people with limited means, support or special needs – and encourages participants to engage creatively with their theatre experiences.