West End LIVE is finally back on stage in 2021, heralding the triumphant return of London’s world-leading theatre industry!
Forming part of Westminster City Council’s Inside Out Festival and the Society of London Theatre’s #BackOnStage campaign, West End LIVE will see Trafalgar Square transformed into an open-air theatre like no other, treating thousands of theatre fans to free performances from the West End’s top shows over the weekend of 18 and 19 September.
This year’s event features the first ever West End LIVE appearances from award-winning musicals Hamilton and The Book Of Mormon, as well as an exciting roster of new shows – including The Prince Of Egypt, Disney’s Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Back To The Future: The Musical and Pretty Woman: The Musical – alongside many established favourites.
In total, over 30 shows and acts will take to the stage for this unique celebration of theatre, a joint production by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre (SOLT).
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of SOLT, said:
‘It is fantastic to be able to bring West End LIVE back this year. I can’t think of a better way to fully welcome back our beloved productions and celebrate the incredible talent, resilience and creativity on our stages, and to put on an unforgettable show for the countless theatre lovers who have supported our industry so passionately in its time of need.’
Cllr Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster City Council, said:
‘I have been proud of all the West End LIVE shows we have staged in partnership with SOLT over the years – but this year’s event is particularly momentous as it shows the world the West End is back in business.’
‘The stellar line-up for this year’s West End LIVE weekend draws a line under that. We look forward to welcoming people back safely to Trafalgar Square for a free, two-day taster of their favourite musicals – old and new. Enjoy the magic this September – West End LIVE is back!’
West End LIVE welcomes Sky VIP as a supporting partner for the first time, after working with SOLT and a raft of London shows over the past year to create exclusive videos for their Sky VIPs, giving vital opportunities to performers during the pandemic.
The event also continues its partnership with Magic Radio, with an array of leading Magic presenters co-hosting the stage across the weekend, including Emma B, Tom Price, Sonali Shah and more to be announced.
Official London Theatre will be backstage throughout the weekend sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content across our social channels.
The event will be BSL interpreted by Sue MacLaine and Marco Nardi.
How much do tickets cost ?
West End LIVE will remain free and unticketed as in previous years. To keep everyone safe, however, all attendees aged 18 and over will be asked to demonstrate their Covid status to gain entry to the event.
List of shows appearing at West End LIVE 2021
More shows are likely to be announced in the lead-up to the event
The winners have been announced for the 20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards. New West End musical & Juliet took the lead receiving 6 awards, including Best Actress in a Musical for its star Miriam-Teak Lee, with Come From Away following close behind with five awards, including Best New Musical and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Rachel Tucker.
In the play categories Andrew Scott (Present Laughter) and Claire Foy (Lungs) reigned supreme, receiving the Best Actor and Best Actress awards for their performances in their respective shows at the Old Vic.
The international sensation, Six the Musical, took home the inaugural BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best West End Musical and Lolita Chakrabarti‘s adaptation of the seminal novel Life of Pi, which premiered at Sheffield Theatres last year, won the Best New Play award. The play transfers to the West End later this year at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
The full list of winners (in bold) and nominees:
The Equity Award for Services to Theatre
ERA 50:50
The BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical
Six the Musical
Best Actor in a Play, sponsored by Edwardian Hotels
Tom Hiddleston – Betrayal – Harold Pinter Theatre Andrew Scott – Present Laughter – The Old Vic Matt Smith – Lungs – The Old Vic Wendell Pierce – Death of a Salesman – Young Vic / Piccadilly Theatre Laurie Kynaston – The Son – Kiln Theatre / Duke of York’s Theatre
Best Actress in a Play, sponsored by Tonic Theatre
Claire Foy – Lungs – The Old Vic Zawe Ashton – Betrayal – Harold Pinter Theatre Hayley Atwell – Rosmersholm – Duke of York’s Theatre Sharon D Clarke – Death of a Salesman – Young Vic / Piccadilly Theatre Juliet Stevenson – The Doctor – Almeida Theatre
Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Alexander Vlahos – Peter Pan – Park Theatre Charlie Cox – Betrayal – Harold Pinter Theatre Hareet Deol – My Beautiful Laundrette – A Curve Leicester, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Leeds Playhouse co-production Hammed Animashaun – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Bridge Theatre Giles Terera – Rosmersholm – Duke of York’s Theatre
Best Supporting Actress in a Play
Ria Zmitrowicz – The Doctor – Almeida Theatre Isabella Pappas – Appropriate – Donmar Warehouse Monica Dolan – All About Eve – Noël Coward Theatre Sophie Thompson – Present Laughter – The Old Vic Indira Varma – Present Laughter – The Old Vic
Best Actor in a Musical, sponsored by Dewynters
David Hunter – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Sam Tutty – Dear Evan Hansen – Noël Coward Theatre Jac Yarrow – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – The London Palladium Oliver Tompsett – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Charlie Stemp – Mary Poppins – Prince Edward Theatre
Best Actress in a Musical, sponsored by Café de Paris
Lucie Jones – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Katharine McPhee – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Miriam-Teak Lee – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Tracie Bennett – Mame – Hope Mill Theatre Zizi Strallen – Mary Poppins – Prince Edward Theatre
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Joe Sugg – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Jack Loxton – Dear Evan Hansen – Noël Coward Theatre Jordan Luke Gage – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Oscar Conlon-Morrey – Only Fools and Horses the Musical – Theatre Royal Haymarket Jason Donovan – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – The London Palladium
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, sponsored by Newman Displays
Laura Baldwin – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Marisha Wallace – Waitress – Adelphi Theatre Cassidy Janson – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Melanie La Barrie – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Rachel Tucker – Come From Away – Phoenix Theatre
Best New Play, sponsored by Ticketmaster
The Doctor – Robert Icke – Almeida Theatre The Son – Florian Zeller – Kiln Theatre / Duke of York’s Theatre My Beautiful Laundrette – Hanif Kureishi – A Curve Leicester, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Leeds Playhouse co-production Life of Pi – Lolita Chakrabarti – Sheffield Theatres Appropriate – Branden Jacobs-Jenkins – Donmar Warehouse
Best Play Revival, sponsored by JHI Marketing
Betrayal – Harold Pinter Theatre Death of a Salesman – Young Vic / Piccadilly Theatre Present Laughter– The Old Vic A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Bridge Theatre Lungs – The Old Vic
Best New Musical, sponsored by h Club London
Waitress – Adelphi Theatre & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre and Opera House, Manchester Dear Evan Hansen – Noël Coward Theatre Come From Away – Phoenix Theatre Only Fools and Horses the Musical – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival, sponsored by Concord Theatricals
Mary Poppins – Prince Edward Theatre Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – The London Palladium Mame – Hope Mill Theatre 9 to 5 the Musical – Savoy Theatre
Best Off-West End Production, sponsored by Les Misérables
Fiver – Southwark Playhouse The View UpStairs – Soho Theatre High Fidelity – The Turbine Theatre Preludes – Southwark Playhouse Falsettos – The Other Palace
Best Regional Production, sponsored by MTI Europe
Mame – Hope Mill Theatre The Color Purple – A Curve Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome co-production Life of Pi – Sheffield Theatres My Beautiful Laundrette – A Curve Leicester, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Leeds Playhouse co-production West Side Story – Royal Exchange, Manchester
Best Choreography
Fabian Aloise – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Matthew Bourne – Romeo and Juliet – UK tour Kelly Devine – Come From Away – Phoenix Theatre Jennifer Weber – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Nick Winston – Mame – Hope Mill Theatre
Best Costume Design
Lez Brotherston – Romeo and Juliet – UK tour Katrina Lindsay – Small Island – National Theatre Rob Howell – Present Laughter – The Old Vic Philip Witcomb – Mame – Hope Mill Theatre Paloma Young – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre
Best Direction, sponsored by LOVEtheatre
Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell – Death of a Salesman – Young Vic / Piccadilly Theatre Robert Icke – The Doctor – Almeida Theatre Jamie Lloyd – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Matthew Warchus – Lungs – The Old Vic Matthew Warchus – Present Laughter – The Old Vic
Best Graphic Direction, sponsored by Hexagon Print
Jon Clark – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Ben Cracknell – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – The London Palladium Howard Hudson – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Jessica Hung Han Yun – Equus – UK tour Tim Lutkin and Hugh Vanstone – Present Laughter – The Old Vic
Best Musical Direction, sponsored by AKA
Ian Eisendrath, Alan Berry and team – Come From Away – Phoenix Theatre Kimberly Grigsby – The Light in the Piazza – Southbank Centre Alex Parker – Mame – Hope Mill Theatre John Rigby – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – The London Palladium Alan Williams – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Best Set Design, sponsored by Sine Digital
Soutra Gilmour – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Soutra Gilmour – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Rob Howell – Present Laughter – The Old Vic Robert Jones – The Light in the Piazza – Southbank Centre Rae Smith – The Night of the Iguana – Noël Coward Theatre
Best Sound Design, sponsored by Stage Sound Services
Ben Harrison – Mame – Hope Mill Theatre Nick Lidster – Evita – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Gareth Owen – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre Gareth Owen – Come From Away – Phoenix Theatre Mick Potter – The Light in the Piazza – Southbank Centre
Best Video Design, sponsored by PRG
Jon Driscoll – Small Island – National Theatre Will Duke – Grief is the Thing With Feathers – Barbican Theatre Andrzej Goulding – & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre P J McEvoy – Falsettos – The Other Palace Ewan Jones Morris – A Very Expensive Poison – The Old Vic
The Olivier and Critics’ Circle award-winning musical Come From Away celebrated its first birthday in the West End by announcing an extension through to 17 October 2020.
The joyous musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.
The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
The multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour. A feature film adaptation is also in the works.
From Monday 10 February 2020, Come From Away welcomed new cast members in the West End, including Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), and Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.
They join Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (taking over the roles of Kevin T/Garth and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.
Under the Musical Direction of Alan Berry (Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium), the band includes Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes), Aoife Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric, Acoustic and Nylon Guitars), Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Joey Grant (Electric Bass/Acoustic Bass), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bazouki) and Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion).
The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.
In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, and recently the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for “Best Musical” (London), Come From Away has scooped multiple awards across North America: the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).
The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden
Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.
Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.
As the Olivier Award-winning “Best New Musical” Come From Away enters its second year in the West End, it welcomes new cast members from Monday 10 February 2020. This joyous musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.
The multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia and on a 60-city North American Tour. It has recently been announced that a tour of China will commence in Shanghai from May 2020, and a feature film adaptation is in the works.
The new cast of Come From Away in the West End will include Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others) Kate Graham (Diane and others), and Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.
They join Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (taking over the roles of Kevin T/Garth and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.
Under the Musical Direction of Alan Berry (Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium), the band includes Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes), Aoife Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric, Acoustic and Nylon Guitars), Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Joey Grant (Electric Bass/Acoustic Bass), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bazouki) and Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion).
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.
In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, Come From Away has scooped multiple awards all across North America: the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).
Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.
Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.
The 2019 Olivier Awards took place at the Royal Albert Hall last night. The awards ceremony, hosted by Jason Manford, saw Sharon D Clarke get her second Olivier Award as well as The Inheritance, Company and Come From Awaybeing awarded 4 awards each.
The 2019 Olivier Awards saw The Inheritance, Company & Come From Away get four awards each.
Read the full list of winners in bold below.
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Jonathan Bailey, Company at the Gielgud Theatre Clive Carter, Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre Richard Fleeshman, Company at the Gielgud Theatre Robert Hands, Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
Patti LuPone, Company at the Gielgud Theatre Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I at the London Palladium “The Queens” – Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel – for Six at Arts Theatre Rachel Tucker, Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC
Come From Away – Book, Music and Lyrics: David Hein and Irene Sankoff; Music Supervisor, Arrangements: Ian Eisendrath; Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen; Musical Director/UK Music Supervisor: Alan Berry; and the band of Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre Fun Home – Composer: Jeanine Tesori; Lyricist/Bookwriter: Lisa Kron at Young Vic The Inheritance – Composer: Paul Englishby at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre A Monster Calls – Original music composed by Benji Bower and performed live by Benji with Will Bower (The Bower Brothers) at The Old Vic Six – Original score, orchestrations and vocal arrangements: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss, Tom Curran and Joe Beighton at Arts Theatre
BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION
16 A Room/Solo Echo/Bill by Ballet British Columbia at Sadler’s Wells Blkdog by Botis Seva at Sadler’s Wells Playlist (Track 1, 2) by William Forsythe for English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells The Unknown Soldier by Alastair Marriott for The Royal Ballet at Royal Opera House
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
Akram Khan for his performance in Xenos at Sadler’s Wells John Macfarlane for his design of Swan Lake at Royal Opera House Dimitris Papaioannou for his choreography of The Great Tamer at Sadler’s Wells
BEST ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY
A Monster Calls at The Old Vic Snow White at The London Palladium Songs For Nobodies at Ambassadors Theatre The Wider Earth at Jerwood Gallery, Natural History Museum
BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER
Kelly Devine for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre Christopher Gattelli based on original choreography by Jerome Robbins for The King And I at The London Palladium Carrie-Anne Ingrouille for Six at Arts Theatre Liam Steel for Company at Gielgud Theatre
BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL
Caroline, Or Change at Playhouse Theatre Company at Gielgud Theatre The King And I at The London Palladium
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Marc Antolin for Little Shop Of Horrors at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre Zubin Varla for Fun Home at Young Vic Ken Watanabe for The King And I at The London Palladium
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Sharon D Clarke for Caroline, Or Change at Playhouse Theatre Rosalie Craig for Company at Gielgud Theatre Kelli O’Hara for The King And I at The London Palladium Adrienne Warren for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre
BEST REVIVAL
King Lear at Duke of York’s Theatre The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at Noël Coward Theatre The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
BEST NEW COMEDY
Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre Nine Night at National Theatre – Dorfman and Trafalgar Studios 1 Quiz at Noël Coward Theatre
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN AFFILIATE THEATRE
Moe Bar-El for his performance in Every Day I Make Greatness Happen at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs Flesh And Bone at Soho Theatre Jonathan Hyde for his performance in Gently Down The Stream at Park Theatre The Phlebotomist at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs Athena Stevens for Schism at Park Theatre
AWARD FOR BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
Neil Austin for Company at Gielgud Theatre Howell Binkley for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre Jon Clark for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre Lee Curran for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Paul Arditti and Christopher Reid for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre Mike Beer for A Monster Calls at The Old Vic Carolyn Downing for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre Gareth Owen for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre Nick Powell for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre – Lyttelton
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Fly Davis for Caroline, Or Change at Playhouse Theatre Anna Fleischle for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre Gabriella Slade for Six at Arts Theatre Catherine Zuber for The King And I at The London Palladium
AWARD FOR BEST SET DESIGN
Bunny Christie for Company at Gielgud Theatre Bob Crowley for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre Es Devlin for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre – Lyttelton Anna Fleischle for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Keir Charles for Quiz at Noël Coward Theatre Adam Gillen for Killer Joe at Trafalgar Studios 1 Adrian Lukis for The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre Malcolm Sinclair for Pressure at Ambassadors Theatre Chris Walley for The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at Noël Coward Theatre
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Susan Brown for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre Monica Dolan for All About Eve at Noël Coward Theatre Cecilia Noble for Nine Night at National Theatre – Dorfman and Trafalgar Studios 1 Vanessa Redgrave for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre
BEST NEW OPERA PRODUCTION
Katya Kabanova at Royal Opera House Lessons In Love And Violence at Royal Opera House The Turn Of The Screw at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA
David Butt Philip and Roderick Williams for their performances in War Requiem at London Coliseum The English National Opera chorus for Paul Bunyan at Wilton’s Music Hall Andris Nelsons for his conducting of Lohengrin at Royal Opera House The ensemble of Porgy And Bess at London Coliseum
BEST ACTOR
Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre – Lyttelton Arinzé Kene for Misty at Trafalgar Studios 1 Ian McKellen for King Lear at Duke of York’s Theatre Kyle Soller for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre David Suchet for The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre
BEST ACTRESS
Gillian Anderson for All About Eve at Noël Coward Theatre Eileen Atkins for The Height Of The Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre Patsy Ferran for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre Sophie Okonedo for Antony And Cleopatra at National Theatre – Olivier Katherine Parkinson for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre
SIR PETER HALL AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
Christopher Ashley for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre Stephen Daldry for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre Marianne Elliott for Company at Gielgud Theatre Rebecca Frecknall for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre Sam Mendes for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre – Lyttelton
BEST NEW PLAY
The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre – Lyttelton Misty at Trafalgar Studios 1 Sweat at Donmar Warehouse
It’s our first ever “Everything Changes” feature! This is the weekly feature that keeps you informed of shows that are opening and closing in the UK theatre scene and yes, it’s a reference to Waitress (which is opening in the West End this February!).
Coming Clean opens at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 9th January.
Location: Trafalgar Studios 2
Dates: 9th Jan to 2nd Feb 2019
Cast: Lee Knight (Tony), Stanton Plummer-Cambridge (Greg), Tom Lambert (Robert) & Elliot Hadley (William/Jurgen)
Creatives: Kevin Elyot (Author), King’s Head Theatre (Producer), Making Productions Limited (Producer), RGM Productions (Producer), Adam Spreadbury-Maher (Director), Nic Farman (Lighting) & Amanda Mascarenhas (Design)
Following a critically acclaimed run at the London’s King’s Head Theatre, the producers behind the Olivier nominated La Boheme transfer the smash-hit, sell-out play by Kevin Elyot, writer of the landmark drama My Night With Reg, transfers to Trafalgar Studios 2 this January.
Tony and Greg seem to have love all figured out. They’re in a committed relationship but with room for a little more on the side whenever it takes their fancy. The only rule? Never sleep with the same man twice.
When drop-dead gorgeous Robert walks into their lives, the fragile foundations of their sexual contract are thrown into jeopardy.
Funny, fresh and packed with razor-sharp wit, Coming Clean questions the nature of fidelity and the limits of love.
Songs for Nobodies – Ambassadors Theatre (from 9th Jan)
Songs for Nobodies transfers to the West End on 9th Jan
Location: Ambassadors Theatre
Dates: 9th Jan to 23rd Feb 2019
Cast: Bernadette Robinson
Creatives: Joanna Murray-Smith (Author) & Simon Phillips (Director)
After a stunning run at Wilton’s Music Hall, and after overwhelming demand, Songs for Nobodies is transferring to the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre for a strictly limited run starting 9 January. This one woman show is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
For 90 minutes, accompanied only by live musicians, Bernadette Robinson singlehandedly tells the tales of five everyday women whose lives are changed when they briefly encounter fame and the legendary singers who had such an impact on them. Bringing to life powerhouse voices across vastly different genres of music, Bernadette Robinson has a versatility that is truly astonishing. Watch as she brings Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas to life as you listen.
Bernadette Robinson’s talent is nearly unbelievable so don’t miss your chance to see it for yourself.
Violet – Charing Cross Theatre (from 12th Jan)
Violet opens at Charing Cross Theatre on 12th Jan
Location: Charing Cross Theatre
Dates: 12th Jan to 6th Apr 2019
Cast: Kaisa Hammarlund (Violet), Matthew Harve (Monty), Jay Marsh (Flick), Simbi Akande, Angelica Allen, Kenneth Avery-Clark, Keiron Crook, James Gant, Danny Michaels, Janet Mooney, Amy Mepham, Rebecca Nardin & Madeleine Sellman (Young Violet)
Creatives: Jeanine Tesori (Music), Brian Crawley (Book & Lyrics), Steven M Levy (Producer), Vaughan Williams (for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Ltd) (Producer), Umeda Arts Theater Co Ltd (Osaka Japan) (Producer), Shuntaro Fujita (Director), Cressida Carre (Choreographer), Morgan Large (Design), Jonathan Lipman (Costume), Howard Hudson (Lighting), Andrew Johnson (Sound) & Dan Jackson (Musical Director)
1964. Somewhere between North Carolina and Oklahoma, we find Violet, a young woman who was facially disfigured as a child. She hopes her life savings will bring her a miracle halfway across the country. Reflecting on her childhood, and shaped by the reactions of the people she encounters, Violet embarks on a life-changing personal journey.
Based on The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris Betts.
Another Opening Of Another Show
The War of The Worlds (The New Diorama Theatre, 8 Jan to 9 Feb)
Anomaly (Old Red Lion, 8 Jan to 2 Feb)
Franz Kafka – Apparatus (White Bear, 8 to 26 Jan)
In Lipstick (Pleasance, 8 to 27 Jan)
In Conversation with Graham Norton (The Hope Theatre, 8 to 26 Jan)
Two of a Kind (Bread and Roses, 8 to 12 Jan)
Salt (Theatre503, 9 to 10 Jan)
Rosenbaum’s Rescue (Park Theatre, 9 Jan)
Approaching Empty (The Kiln, 9 Jan to 2 Feb)
Stop and Search (Arcola, 9 Jan to 9 Feb)
Outlying Islands (The King’s Head Theatre, 9 Jan to 2 Feb)
Original Death Rabbit (Jermyn Street Theatre, 9 Jan to 9 Feb)
Valhalla (White Bear, 9 Jan to 10 Jan)
The Daughter-In-Law (Arcola, 10 Jan to 2 Feb)
Olivier de Sagazan – Transfiguration (The Lilian Baylis Theatre, 10 to 11 Jan)
The Murder Express (Pedley Street Station, 11 Jan to 31 Mar)
Gone (Theatre503, 11 to 13 Jan)
Snow Baby (Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 12 Jan)
Murder, She Didn’t Write (Leicester Square Theatre, 13 Jan to 19 May)
Extra Virgin (Above the Stag Theatre, 13 Jan to 10 Feb)
I’m Sorry But… (Bread and Roses, 13 to 14 Jan)
Waiting for Curry (The King’s Head Theatre, 13 to 14 Jan)
Happy Trails!
Kinky Boots, Dreamgirls & The Band are a few of the shows that are closing this week.
8 Jan
Cuttings (Theatre503)
9 Jan
The Tell-Tale Heart (Dorfman Theatre (National Theatre))
10 Jan
Salt (Theatre503)
Valhalla (White Bear)
11 Jan
Olivier de Sagazan – Transfiguration (The Lilian Baylis Theatre)
Mother Goose Cracks One Out! (Above the Stag Theatre)
Snow Baby (Half Moon Young People’s Theatre)
The Band (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
The Hound of the Baskervilles (Drayton Arms Theatre)
Two of a Kind (Bread and Roses)
Uncle Vanya (Hampstead Theatre)
13 Jan
Gone (Theatre503)
Murder For Two (The Other Palace)
Room on the Broom (Lyric)
Sherlock Homeless – The Anatomy of Rubbish (Barons Court Theatre)
Snow White at The London Palladium (London Palladium)
Swan Lake (London Coliseum)
It is going to be a crazy week with a lot of long-running shows leaving the West End this weekend. With last weekend’s closings of Bat Out Of Hell, Chicago and 42nd Street, followed by this weekend’s closings of A Christmas Carol, Dreamgirls, Kinky Boots, The Band and Snow White…well, the West End is going to look a lot different!
This will also mean that the West End will start to see signs of new shows arriving with new marquees for shows such as Come From Away at the Phoenix, 9 to 5 at the Savoy, Six at the Arts, Waitress at the Adelphi and Only Foolsand Horses at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
