What a range of winners there were at the 10th anniversary Offies 2020 presented by Off West End with Best Musical Production going to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Union Theatre and Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre named as Best New Musical. Elsewhere Thrill Me lead actors Bart Lambert and Jack Reitman were both honoured for their performances at the Hope Theatre, while Oti Mabuse completed a victorious weekend with a prize for her choreography for Ain’t Misbehavin at Southwark Playhouse.
In 2019, Offies assessors saw around 400 shows across Greater London and made over 400 nominations covering 189 shows at 58 venues.
It turned out to be quite a weekend for Oti Mabuse, following her victory in BBC1’s The Greatest Dancer with a win in the Choreography/Movement category for her work on Ain’t Misbehavin at the Southwark Playhouse. Two other productions at the same venue also did well: Jerome Pradon as best Male in a Supporting in a Musical for Aspects of Love and the Performance Ensemble award went to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
There were two wins for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Union Theatre (Ashlee Young in the Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical category and best musical production). Best new musical went to Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre which also won for its costumes designs (Adrian Gee).
There was a double whammy for Thrill Me at the Hope Theatre, with lead actors Bart Lambert and Jack Reitman both winning awards, while Jeannette Bayardelle was recognised for her work in Shida at the Vaults (Female Performance in a Musical). Best Director (Musicals) was Bill Buckhurst for the well-received Ghost Quartet at the newly-opened Boulevard Theatre.
Special awards acknowledged producer Tobi Kyeremateng, Bunker Theatre artistic director Chris Sonnex, with special achievement awards going to founders of London’s Arcola Theatre, Mehmet Ergen and Leyla Nazli.
The Best Opera Production Award was presented by My Theatre Mates founder Terri Paddock.
Offies 2020 Awards
Musicals and Opera
Choreography/Movement
Oti Mabuse, Ain’t Misbehavin at Southwark Playhouse
Female in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Ashlee Young, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Union Theatre
Male in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Jerome Pradon, Aspects of Love at Southwark Playhouse
Female Performance in a Musical
Jeannette Bayardelle, Shida, Vaults
Male Performance in a Musical
Bart Lambert, Thrill Me at the Hope Theatre
Male Performance
Jack Reitman, Thrill Me at the Hope Theatre
New Musical
Amour, Charing Cross Theatre
Musical Director
Jordan Li-Smith, Queen of the Mist at Jack Studio Theatre/Charing Cross Theatre
Director (Musicals)
Bill Buckhurst, Ghost Quartet at Boulevard Theatre
Production (Musicals)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at Union Theatre
Opera Production
HMS Pinafore at Charles Court Opera, King’s Head
Company Ensemble
Operation Mincemeat at New Diorama
Performance Ensemble
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Southwark Playhouse
Costume Design
Adrian Gee, Amour at Charing Cross Theatre
