12th Whatsonstage.com Awards winners announced

Last night, the Prince of Wales Theatre in London played host to the 12th Whatsonstage.com Awards, which was a gathering of the cream of the theatrical world.

So, who were the big winners of the night? Matilda won four awards, including Best New Musical and Newcomer of the Year for composer/lyricist Tim Minchin; One Man, Two Guvnors won three awards, including Best Actor in a Play for previous Awards host James Corden and Best New Comedy; David Tennant-Catherine Tate’s reunion in Much Ado About Nothing named Theatre Event of the Year and Best Shakespearean Production, while Tate took home another prize, Best Supporting Actress in a Play, for Season’s Greetings and Vanessa Redgrave scooped Best Actress for her performance opposite James Earl Jones in Best Play Revival winner Driving Miss Daisy. Also, Ghost picked up three gongs including Best Actor in a Musical for Richard Fleeshman, while fellow screen-to-stage musical Shrek nets awards for Amanda Holden and Nigel Harman.

Longrunner War Horse, riding high after Steven Spielberg’s film release, ousts Wicked from Best West End Show slot for the first time, adding to the National Theatre’s tally of seven awards overall.

Other big-name winners include Danny Boyle, Alfie Boe, Kerry Ellis and Oliver Chris.

Whatsonstage.com is the UK’s leading theatre website and the ceremony is the only prize-giving event for the theatre industry voted for purely by the ticket-buying public. Over 70,000 people took part in the voting process – a major new record representing a 55% increase on last year’s turnout.

The awards – hosted by comedians Alan Davies, Jenny Eclair and nominee Sheridan Smith – were announced at a star-studded concert ceremony with performances from various artists including the legend that is Brian May.

Terri Paddock, managing and editorial director of Whatsonstage.com, said: “This is our most successful year yet. We’ve seen a 55% increase in voter turnout this year – with over 70,000 voters wildly supporting their favourite performers and productions. To satisfy audience demand to be part of our Awards, we introduced a live webcast of the acceptance speeches from the Prince of Wales for the first time tonight.

“These awards are vital to the theatre industry because, as the only major ones decided across the board by the public, they unashamedly measure popularity as well as quality. And they’re just plain fun! With our sponsor and new owner, Time Out, we look forward to continuing to grow the Whatsonstage.com Awards in the years to come. In the meantime, we congratulate all of our 2012 winners.”

– Whatsonstage.com 2012 Awards
– Stage One
– Year of the Producer content

Vertical Road returns to the UK

Award-winning show Vertical Road by celebrated choreographer Akram Khan will be returning to the UK for one night only.

Currently on the last leg of their North American tour, Vertical Road has reached critical acclaim around the world. The Guardian describes it as: “The dance is beautiful and harrowing, and draws us into a strange, potent world of memory and self discovery.”

Recent accolades for the piece include winning the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award 2011 for Best Modern Choreography.

Vertical Road is Khan’s latest contemporary ensemble work realised by an eclectic cast drawn from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. With a specially commissioned score by long-term collaborator, composer Nitin Sawhney, Vertical Road draws inspiration from the Sufi tradition and the Persian poet and philosopher Rumi.

Exploring man’s earthly nature, his rituals and the consequences of human actions, Vertical Road becomes a meditation on the journey from gravity to grace. The piece explores these ideas in a ground-breaking work of contemporary dance, choreographed by Khan himself and performed by eight hand-picked dancers from around the world led by the uber talented dancer/choreographer Salah El Brogy, who plays the role of the traveller. El Brogy has been mesmerising audiences across the globe with his moves and is proving to show that dance portrays a deeper meaning that can really touch the soul. El Brogy is an artist with a message who continues to make a mark in his field.

Vertical Road sees Khan returning to pure movement in his choreography, eliminating the text and dialogue that have featured in recent works such as DESH and zero degrees. Rooted in his classical kathak training, but informed by his experience and virtuosity in contemporary dance, Vertical Road has strong Middle Eastern influences, and continues Khan’s interest in exploring the interfaces between different cultures and creative disciplines.

The show will be at The Hawth Theatre in West Sussex on 23 February at 8pm. For Box Office call 01293 539418. Ticket pricing available is available online.

– The Guardian: Vertical Road review