Some of the productions which won awards can still be seen on-stage whilst some of the winners, including Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kevin Spacey, also have new productions opening in the West End over the coming months. Find out all you need to know about these productions below...
THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Prince Of Wales Theatre
Voted ‘Best Night Out’
Despite opening in March, everybody is still fighting to see The Book of Mormon. From the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon is outrageously funny and thoroughly deserving of the ‘Best Night Out Award’. The fact that the musical won the only publically voted 2013 Evening Standard Theatre Award only reiterates just how popular The Book of Mormon is with audiences. No matter what mood you arrive in at the Prince Of Wales Theatre, you will leave feeling exhausted from laughing so hard.
STEPHEN WARD at the Aldwych Theatre
The musical’s composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, won the ‘Lebedev Special Award’ for his contribution to musical theatre
Not only has Andrew Lloyd Webber composed some of the world’s longest running shows, but he also produces productions globally and owns many of London’s most iconic theatres. The composer’s latest musical, Stephen Ward, officially opens in the West End next month. Based on the famous Profumo scandal, the production is a dramatic yet exciting change of direction for the theatrical legend. While only time can tell whether Stephen Ward will be as successful as the likes of The Phantom of the Opera, Cats and Evita, many have claimed that the score features some of Webber’s best work to date.
The Old Vic’s artistic director, Kevin Spacey, won the ‘Editor’s Award’ for his contribution to British theatre
Kevin Spacey won an award which recognises his terrific contribution to British theatre. Spacey is currently the artistic director of the Old Vic and the theatre will soon stage the West End premiere of Fortune’s Fool which begins previews early next month. Directed by Lucy Bailey, Mike Poulton’s adaptation of Turgenev’s savagely funny play will star Iain Glen and Richard McCabe.
GHOSTS at Trafalgar Studios
The play’s director, Richard Eyre, won ‘Best Director’ ahead of Ghosts’ West End transfer
Following Chimerica’s recent and successful West End transfer, on Friday (15th November) The Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboye announced that Ghosts will soon become the Almeida’s latest production to take the West End by storm. The show will reportedly begin previews at Trafalgar Studios on Monday 9th December 2013. Ibsen’s play is adapted and directed by the award winning Richard Eyre.
Awards were also won by some of the biggest names in West End theatre including Helen Mirren, Rosalie Craig, David Walliams and Dame Maggie Smith. Dame Edna, Boris Johnson and Hayley Atwell were among those who presented awards. The full winners list can be found below:
Full Winners List
Best Actor
Adrian Lester & Rory Kinnear for Othello (NT Olivier)
Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress
Helen Mirren for The Audience (Gielgud)
Best Play
Chimerica by Lucy Kirkwood (Almeida & Harold Pinter)
Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical
Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory & Harold Pinter)
Best Director
Richard Eyre for Ghosts (Almeida)
Best Design
Bob Crowley for People (NT Lyttelton) & The Audience (Gielgud) & Once (Phoenix)
Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright
Rachel De-lahay for Routes (Royal Court)
Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Seth Numrich for Sweet Bird of Youth (Old Vic)
Best Musical Performance
Rosalie Craig for The Light Princess (NT Lyttelton)
Emerging Talent Award (in partnership with Burberry)
Cush Jumbo for Josephine and I, Bush
Award for Comedy
David Walliams for his performance as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream
Beyond Theatre Award
BBC Proms 2013
Editor's Award
Kevin Spacey for his contribution to British theatre
Lebedev Special Award
Lord Lloyd-Webber for his contribution to musical theatre
Theatre Icon Award
Dame Maggie Smith for her contribution to the world stage
Best Night Out
The Book of Mormon
Andrew Tomlins