The nominees for this year’s UK Theatre Awards have been announced, recognizing theatre excellence across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on Sunday 20 October at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London, hosted by Faye Tozer.
Leading the nominations is Nottingham Playhouse with four nods, including Best Performance in a Play, Excellence in Inclusivity, Excellence in Sustainability, and the Workforce Award. Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse each received three nominations. Bristol Old Vic features in categories for Best Musical Production, Best New Play, and Excellence in Inclusivity. Leeds Playhouse is up for Best Musical Production, while Jenny Fitzpatrick (Oliver!) and John Hopkins (My Fair Lady) are nominated for Best Performance in a Musical, alongside Matt Doyle for Sinatra The Musical at Birmingham Rep.
Nominees For Best Performance In A Play
In the performing categories, actors Heather Agyepong & Tosin Cole (Shifters), Ian McDiarmid (The Caretaker), David Shields (Punch) and Keith Singleton (The Pillowman) are all nominated for Best Performance in a Play.
Nominees For Best Supporting Performance (in A Musical Or Play)
Chumisa Dornford-May (Evita), Tania Mathurin (Barnum) and Andrew Schofield (Boys From The Blackstuff) are nominated for Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play).
UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award
The shortlist for the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award includes Hall for Cornwall, Octagon Theatre Bolton, and Polka Theatre.
Outstanding Contribution To British Theatre Award
Additionally, Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Graeae, will receive the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award.
Awards Ceremony Details
The UK Theatre Awards are a celebration of the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Awards are given for creative excellence and outstanding work both on and off stage, including the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award and the coveted UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award.
Nominations Across The Categories
With nominees from all four nations, this year’s shortlist showcases the creativity and originality of theatre across the UK. Besides Nottingham Playhouse’s four nominations, two theatres receive three nods across various categories – Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse. Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Buxton Opera House, Chichester Festival Theatre, Dundee Rep, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Royal Shakespeare Company and Wise Childrenhave all garnered two nominations apiece.
A Celebration Of Theatre Excellence
Claire Walker & Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, stated: “Across the four nations UK Theatre members are creating incredible work and making a huge difference to their local communities. This year’s UK Theatre Awards nominations are a real testament to the quality and diversity of talent, storytelling and community engagement seen on stage and in venues right across the country. Congratulations to all the nominees, and thank you to our sponsors and partners for their fantastic support. We look forward to celebrating with you all on Sunday 20 October.”
The UK Theatre Awards 2024 are sponsored by Encore, with thanks to our partners AKT, Cunard, Harbottle & Lewis, John Good, MTI Europe, Theatre Tokens, Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical, Unusual Rigging and White Light.
Full List Of Nominations
Here is the full list of nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2024:
On Stage Awards:
-
Best Design
- Emma Bailey for Sunset Song
- Kenneth MacLeod for Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning
- Michael Taylor for Bhangra Nation
-
Best Director
- Drew McOnie for The Artist
- Conrad Nelson for One Man, Two Guvnors
- Emma Rice for The Buddha Of Suburbia
- Roxana Silbert for The Girls Of Slender Means
-
Best Musical Production
- The Big Life at Stratford East
- Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse
- Starter For Ten at Bristol Old Vic
-
Best New Play
- A Child Of Science at Bristol Old Vic
- Peanut Butter & Blueberries at Kiln Theatre
- Swim, Aunty, Swim! at Belgrade Theatre
-
Best Play Revival
- The Deep Blue Sea at Ustinov Studio at Theatre Royal Bath
- Rhino at Lyric Theatre Belfast
- A Taste Of Honey at Royal Exchange Theatre
-
Achievement in Dance
- London City Ballet for the company relaunch
- Mehek by Aakash Odedra Company & Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company
- Minotaur, Metamorphoses & Echo and Narcissus by Kim Brandstrup
-
Achievement in Opera
- Thomas Allen for his career with Glyndebourne
- Buxton International Festival 2024 at Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre
- Death In Venice by Welsh National Opera in collaboration with NoFit State
-
Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play)
- Chumisa Dornford-May for Evita
- Tania Mathurin for Barnum
- Andrew Schofield for Boys From The Blackstuff
-
Best Performance in a Musical
- Matt Doyle for Sinatra The Musical
- Jenny Fitzpatrick for Oliver!
- John Hopkins for My Fair Lady
-
Best Performance in a Play
- Heather Agyepong & Tosin Cole for Shifters
- Ian McDiarmid for The Caretaker
- David Shields for Punch
- Keith Singleton for The Pillowman
-
Best Show for Children & Young People
- Beauty And The Beast at Stephen Joseph Theatre
- Flip! at Soho Upstairs at Soho Theatre
- Starchitects Save Santa! at Midlands Arts Centre
Off Stage Awards:
-
Excellence in Arts Education
- Lyric Hammersmith
- Mayflower Theatre & MAST Mayflower Studios
- Royal Shakespeare Company
-
Excellence in Touring
- ETT
- Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru
- Wise Children
-
Excellence in Inclusivity
- Antony & Cleopatra at Shakespeare’s Globe
- Bristol Old Vic
- Punch at Nottingham Playhouse
-
Excellence in Sustainability
- Chichester Festival Theatre
- Dundee Rep & Scottish Dance Theatre
- Nottingham Playhouse
-
Workforce Award
- Buxton Opera House
- Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
- Nottingham Playhouse
-
UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre
- Hall for Cornwall
- Octagon Theatre Bolton
- Polka Theatre
Mark your calendars for Sunday, 20 October, and stay tuned for the winners of the 2024 UK Theatre Awards!
