Was Mrs Henderson Presents underrated? YES. Is Kinky Boots and its luscious Lola, Matt Henry, still strutting strong? YES. Do #StageFaves Kerry Ellis, Mazz Murray, Claire Machin and Natasha J Barnes deserve gongs a-go-go? YES, YES, YES, YES. We are in broad agreement with the talent celebrated at this year's West End Wilma Awards, announced today (4 November 2016)...
Winners were announced today in the third annual West End Wilma Awards in a ceremony, hosted by Curtain Up Show's Tim McArthur and held at London's Hippodrome Casino. Here's a list of who won what. We send #StageFaves congratulations to them all - as well as all the nominees.
Also, a big whoop-whoop to OAP blogger Wilma and The Phantom of the Opera's Kieran Brown (also a 2016 nominee) for releasing specially written, tongue in cheek, charity single "No Awards for You". The comedic parody of Willy Russell's "Tell Me It's Not True" from Blood Brothers is written by Brown, who also performed it at today's event. It's available for digital download , with all proceeds going to the National Autistic Society towards arranging more relaxed theatre performances.
Excited for @westendwilma @WilmaAwards tomorrow & release of our charity single for @Autism! #noawardsforyou written by ME & Willy Russell! pic.twitter.com/4BlFk9ChRk
— Kieran Brown (@Kierbro) November 3, 2016
The list of 2016 Wilma Awards winners - and nominees - in the musical-related categories are:
Best West End Musical (sponsored by TodayTix)
- Guys and Dolls (Phoenix Theatre)
- Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre) - WINNER!
- Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)
Most Underrated West End Show (sponsored by Free@Last TV Ltd)
- Beyond The Fence (Arts Theatre)
- McQueen (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
- Mrs Henderson Presents (Duke of York’s) - WINNER!
Best Off-West End Production
- The Buskers Opera (Park Theatre)
- Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse)
- Titanic (Charing Cross Theatre) - WINNER!
Best Touring Production
- Annie
- Chicago
- Rocky Horror Show - WINNER!
Best Cabaret/Solo Performance (sponsored by Auburn Jam Music)
- Bonnie Langford (Hippodrome Casino)
- Katie Brennan (St James Studio)
- Kerry Ellis (Hippodrome Casino) - WINNER!
Best Actor In A West End Show (sponsored by London Weekly News)
- Michael Xavier (Sunset Boulevard)
- Matt Henry (Kinky Boots) - WINNER!
- Jason Pennycooke (Guys and Dolls)
Best Actress In A West End Show (sponsored by Planet Hollywood)
- Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia!) - WINNER!
- Denise Gough (People, Places and Things)
- Jenna Russell (Doctor Faustus)
Best Actor/Actress In An Off-West End Show
- George Rae (Grand Hotel)
- Claire Machin (Titanic) - WINNER!
- Lauren Samuels (The Buskers Opera)
Best Understudy (sponsored by Free@Last TV Ltd)
- Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard)
- Natasha J Barnes (Funny Girl) - WINNER!
- Kieran Brown (Phantom of the Opera)
Rising Star Award (sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe)
- CJ Johnson
- Victoria Serra
- Sam Wearing - WINNER!
