HALF A SIXPENCE and SHOW BOAT are both in the running for UK Theatre Awards as are #StageFaves Charlie Stemp, Emmanuel Kojo and Rebecca Trehearn. Full shortlists for the 2016 awards, presented at a ceremony on Sunday 9 October, are announced today...
UK Theatre has announced the nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2016, which celebrate the breadth and depth of outstanding talent and achievement in theatre and the performing arts throughout the United Kingdom, on and off stage.
SHOW BOAT, which recently finished its West End run, receives the most nominations for a production (four), while fellow Sheffield Theatres’ musical Flowers for Mrs Harris, also helmed by recently departed artistic director Daniel Evans, receives four nominations. For Best Musical Production, the two Sheffield offerings go head-to-head-to-head with HALF A SIXPENCE, which next month transfers to the West End from Chichester Festival Theatre, where Daniel Evans took over from Jonathan Church as artistic director in July.
#StageFaves musical performers shortlisted for UK Theatre Awards are: HALF A SIXPENCE's Charlie Stemp, SHOW BOAT's Emmanuel Kojo and Rebecca Trehearn, Clare Burt and Allyson Ava-Brown, Jennifer Saayeng and Nina Toussaint-White, who are jointly nominated for co-starring in Che Walker's play with music The Etienne Sisters.
The Awards will be presented on Sunday 9 October 2016 at a ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall. Multi-award-winning actor Lesley Manville OBE will compère this year’s event. In 2016 Manville starred in Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Bristol Old Vic.
This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre will be Sir Ian McKellen, in recognition of his tireless work both in championing diversity and for his commitment to theatre, including touring productions, across the country. During an illustrious career that has spanned more than six decades, Sir Ian has performed to wide acclaim at theatres throughout the United Kingdom. Sir Ian recently completed a UK tour of No Man’s Land alongside Sir Patrick Stewart which will open in London on 20 September. Past recipients of the award include Sir Matthew Bourne, Timothy West CBE and Prunella Scales CBE.
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of UK Theatre, said:
“This year’s nominations demonstrate that theatres in the UK are continuing to thrive artistically. Night after night, incredible work can be seen on stages up and down the country. From thought-provoking drama to musical revivals, our industry is a world-leader. We also recognise the hard work of the dedicated teams backstage and front of house, without which there would be no theatre.”
The public vote for UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre in association with Smooth Radio will close at 12 noon on Monday 19 September.
UK Theatre Awards 2016 Nominations - musicals
Best Musical Production
- FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS directed by Daniel Evans, a Sheffield Theatres Production
- HALF A SIXPENCE directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, a Chichester Festival Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh production
- SHOW BOAT directed by Daniel Evans, a Sheffield Theatres production
Best Performance In A Musical
- Clare Burt for FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS, a Sheffield Theatres Production
- Charlie Stemp for HALF A SIXPENCE, a Chichester Festival Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh production
- Allyson Ava-Brown, Jennifer Saayeng and Nina Toussaint-White for THE ETIENNE SISTERS, a Theatre Royal Stratford East production
Best Supporting Performance
- Emmanuel Kojo for SHOW BOAT, a Sheffield Theatres production
- Rebecca Trehearn for SHOW BOAT, a Sheffield Theatres production
- Olivia Vinall for YOUNG CHEKHOV: THE SEAGULL, a Chichester Festival Theatre production
Best Design
- Lez Brotherston for FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS and SHOW BOAT, a Sheffield Theatres productions
- Max Dorey and Sally Ferguson for AND THEN COME THE NIGHTJARS, a Theatre503 and Bristol Old Vic production in association with Tara Finney Productions
- Robert Jones for STRIFE, a Chichester Festival Theatre production
