My 2018 Theatre Awards.

Hello and welcome to my 7th year doing this blog, celebrating the best of the theatre that I've seen in 2018.

Winners are in bold.

Best Set Design
Simon Higlett - Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Colin Richmond - The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Philip Witcomb - Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
David Woodhead - Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
Lez Brotherston - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Nigel Hook - The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour)
Matt Kinley - Les Miserables (International Tour)
Michael Taylor - White Christmas (Curve)

Best Lighting Design
Ben Cracknell - An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Howard Hudson - Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
Natasha Chivers - The Duchess of Malfi (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Paule Constable - Les Miserables (International Tour)
Nick Richings - The Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Rep)
Mark Henderson - White Christmas (Curve)

Best Costume Design
Colin Richmond - The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Ellan Parry - As You Like It (Shakespeare's Globe)
Lez Brotherston - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Tom Piper - Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Max Jones - Shakespeare in Love (UK Tour)
Diego Pitarch - White Christmas (Curve)

Best Choreography/Movement
Nick Winston - Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Lucy Hind - Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Stephen Mear - White Christmas (Curve)

Best Direction
Christopher Luscombe - Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Nick Winston - Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Erica Whyman - Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Maria Aberg - The Duchess of Malfi (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Fiona Laird - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Michael Boyd - Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Nikolai Foster - White Christmas (Curve)
Simon Godwin - Timon of Athens (Swan Theatre, RSC)

Best Supporting Actress In A Play
Kara Tointon - Olivia in Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Daisy Badger - Lady Landsworth in The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Laura Elsworthy - Betty in The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Charlotte Josephine - Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Nadia Nadarajah - Celia in As You Like It (Shakespeare's Globe)
Debbie Korley - Zabina/King of Syria in Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Adjoa Andoh - Ulysses in Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Charlotte Arrowsmith - Cassandra in Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)

Best Supporting Actor In A Play
Adrian Edmondson - Malvolio in Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Josh Finan - Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Pearce Quigley - Jaques in As You Like It (Shakespeare's Globe)
Nicolas Tennant - Bosola in The Duchess of Malfi (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Edmund Wiseman - Theridamas in Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Bobby Hirston - Max in The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour)
Edmund Kingsley - Kit Marlowe in Shakespeare in Love (UK Tour)
Patrick Drury - Flavius in Timon of Athens (Swan Theatre, RSC)

Best Leading Actress In A Play
Karen Fishwick - Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Joan Iyiola - The Duchess in The Duchess of Malfi (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Rosy McEwen - Zenocrate/Callapine in Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Amber James - Cressida in Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Imogen Daines - Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love (UK Tour)
Kathryn Hunter - Timon of Athens in Timon of Athens (Swan Theatre, RSC)

Best Leading Actor In A Play
Anthony Sher - King Lear in King Lear (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Bally Gill - Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Jack Laskey - Rosalind in As You Like It (Shakespeare's Globe)
David Troughton - Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Jude Owusu - Tamburlaine in Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Jake Curran - Chris in The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour)
Gavin Fowler - Troilus in Troilus and Cressida (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Pierro Niel-Mee - Will Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (UK Tour)

Best Understudy Performance
Rebecca Stenhouse - Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Rachel Grundy - Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Jonathan Cordin - Blake in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre)
Aron Wild - Igor in Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Gemma Scholes - Inga in Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Christopher Cameron - Jagwire in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre)
Craig Ryder - Falco in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre)
Zac Hamilton - Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (International Tour)

Best Ensemble
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
The Fantastic Follies of Mrs Rich (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, RSC)
Les Miserables (International Tour)
White Christmas (Curve)

Best Supporting Actress In A Musical
Jessica Daley - Lynette Pomeroy in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Emily Johnstone - Joan/Pearl Turner/Barbara Young/Lionel Bart/Barbara/Barbara Windsor in Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Ricky Butt - Rosie in Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Katie Hall - Fantine in Les Miserables (UK Tour)
Kelly Agbowu - Zeke/Lion in The Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Rep)
Wendy Mae Brown - Martha Watson in White Christmas (Curve)

Best Supporting Actor In A Musical
Ian McIntosh - Sid Worley in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Daniel Stockton - Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Niall Sheehy - Frederick Barrett in Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
Solomon Israel - Gerry Raffles in Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Will Richardson - Enjolras in Les Miserables (UK Tour)
Sam Murphy - Mike in White Christmas (Curve)

Best Leading Actress In A Musical
Rebecca Stenhouse - Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Emma Williams - Paula Pokrifki in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Holly Dale Spencer - Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Claire Burt - Joan Littlewood in Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre, RSC)
Georgia Louise - Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Sara Poyzer - Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Emma Williams - Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Curve)
Monique Young - Judy Haynes in White Christmas (Curve)

Best Leading Actor In A Musical
Jonny Fines - Zack Mayo in An Officer and a Gentleman (UK Tour)
Simon Thomas - Sky Masterton in Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Daniel Robinson - Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Greg Castiglioni - Thomas Andrews in Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
Killian Donnelly - Jean Valjean in Les Miserables (UK Tour)
Nic Greenshields - Javert in Les Miserables (UK Tour)
Dan Burton - Phil Davis in White Christmas (Curve)
Danny Mac - Bob Wallace in White Christmas (Curve)

Best Royal Shakespeare Company Production
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
Miss Littlewood (Swan Theatre)
Romeo and Juliet (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
The Duchess of Malfi (Swan Theatre)
The Merry Wives of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre)

Best Touring/Regional Production
Guys and Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre)
Titanic The Musical (UK Tour)
The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour)
Shakespeare in Love (UK Tour)
Les Miserables (International Tour)
White Christmas (Curve)

2017 Theatre Awards

The Full List of Nominations for My Personal Best Of Theatre in 2017 Awards. I've done this yearly for about 5 years now and you can check out the previous years on my Blog.

Winners are in Bold.

Best Set Design
Gary McCann - La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Lily Arnold - Snow in Midsummer (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Paul Brown - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Diego Pitarch - The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Colin Richmond - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Peter McKnight - The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Jon Bausor - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Bob Crowley - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Diego Pitarch - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Beowulf Boritt - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Douglas W. Schmidt - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
Ian Westbrook 3D Creations - Dick Whittington (London Palladium)

Best Lighting Design
Ben Cracknell - La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Ben Cracknell - The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Patrick Woodroffe - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Bruno Poet - Miss Saigon (UK Tour)
Natasha Katz - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Howard Hudson - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Nev Milsom - Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Tim Mitchell - Nativity (UK Tour)
Ben Cracknell - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Peter Mumford - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Best Costume Design
Gary McCann - La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Paul Brown - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Diego Pitarch - The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Colin Richmond - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Peter McKnight - The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Jon Bausor and Meentje Nielsen - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Bob Crowley - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Ron Briggs/Hugh Durrant/Mike Coltman - Dick Whittington (London Palladium)

Best Choreography
Nick Winston - The Wedding Singer (UK Tour)
Bill Deamer - La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Andrew Wright - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Sam Spencer-Lane - Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
Aletta Collins - The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Emma Portner - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Christopher Wheeldon obe - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Nathan M. Wright - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Anthony Williams and Dean Street - Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Susan Stroman - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Randy Skinner - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
Karen Bruce - Dick Whittington (London Palladium)

Best Supporting Actress in a Play
Rebecca Collingwood (Hero) - Much Ado About Nothing (RSC - Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Sophie Wong (Fei-Fei) - Snow in Midsummer (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Ellie Beaven (Voluptua) - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Dakota Blue Richards (Geraldine) - What The Butler Saw (Curve)

Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Martin Hutson (Cassius) - Julius Caesar (RSC - Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
Jon Trenchard (Terence) - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Matthew Pidgeon (Herod) - Salome (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Jasper Britton (Dr Rance) - What The Butler Saw (Curve)

Best Leading Actress in a Play
Lisa Dillon (Beatrice) - Much Ado About Nothing (RSC - Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Katie Leung (Dou Yi) - Snow in Midsummer (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Sophia Nomvete (Dexter) - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Catherine Russell (Mrs Prentice) - What The Butler Saw (Curve)

Best Leading Actor in a Play
Edward Bennett (Benedick) - Much Ado About Nothing (RSC - Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Colin Ryan (Handsome Zhang) - Snow in Midsummer (RSC - Swan Theatre)
James Corrigan (Mark Antony) - Julius Caesar (RSC - Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
Felix Hayes (General Braggadocio) - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Matthew Tennyson (Salome) - Salome (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Rufus Hound (Dr Prentice) - What The Butler Saw (Curve)

Best Direction
Chris Luscombe - Much Ado About Nothing (RSC - Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Rachel Kavanaugh - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Matthew White - Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
Janice Honeyman - Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
Rachel Kavanaugh - The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Christopher Wheeldon - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Paul Hart - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Debbie Isitt - Nativity (UK Tour)
Susan Stroman - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Mark Bramble - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Best Understudy Performance
Max Westwell (Jerry Mulligan) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Samantha Hull (Flo) - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Sarah Jane Buckley (Mrs Johnstone) - Blood Brothers (UK Tour)
Kristen McGarrity (Lise Dassin) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Sarah Bakker (Milo Davenport) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Emily Squibb (Elizabeth Benning) - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Lucie Jones (Maureen Johnson) - Rent (UK Tour)
Mazz Murray (Tanya) - Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Bethany Huckle (Flo) - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Monique Young (Lois Lane) - Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
Carrie Hope Fletcher (Wednesday Addams) - The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Emilie du Leslay (Portia) - The Wind and the Willows (London Palladium)
Sharon Sexton (Sloane) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Danielle Steers (Zahara) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Zoe Rainey (Milo Davenport) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Caroline Flack (Irene Roth) - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Sarah Earnshaw (Jennifer Lore) - Nativity (UK Tour)
Summer Strallen (Inga) - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Mark Newnham (Dave Davies) - Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour)
Samuel Holmes (George) - The Wedding Singer (UK Tour)
Layton Williams (Angel) - Rent (UK Tour)
Gerard Carey (James Walsingham/Photographer) - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Simon Lipkin (Rat) - The Wind In the Willows (London Palladium)
Neil McDermott (Chief Weasel) - The Wind In the Willows (London Palladium)
Rob Fowler (Falco) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Dom Hartley-Harris (Jagwire) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Haydn Oakley (Henri Baurel) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
David Barrett (Emmett Forest) - Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Jamie Chapman (Patrick Burns) - Nativity (UK Tour)
Patrick Clancy (Inspector Kemp/Hermit) - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Ross Noble (Igor) - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
Christopher Howell (Bert Barry) - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Leading Actress in a Musical
Philippa Steffani (Mimi) - Rent (UK Tour)
Sanne den Besten (Sophie) - Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Devon-Elise Johnson (Ann Pornick) - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Caroline Sheen (Lilli Vanessi) - Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
Christina Bennington (Raven) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Sooha Kim (Kim) - Miss Saigon (UK Tour)
Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Charlotte Wakefield (Polly Baker) - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Lucie Jones (Elle Woods) - Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Clare Halse (Peggy Sawyer) - 42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Leading Actor in a Musical
Ryan O'Donnell (Ray Davies) - Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour)
Jon Robyns (Robbie) - The Wedding Singer (UK Tour)
John Partridge (Albin/Zaza) - La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Charlie Stemp (Arthur Kipps) - Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Matthew McKenna (Fred Graham) - Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
Cameron Blakeley (Gomez) - The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Rufus Hound (Mr Toad) - The Wind In the Willows (London Palladium)
Andrew Polec (Strat) - Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Tom Chambers (Bobby Child) - Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Simon Lipkin (Mr Poppy) - Nativity (UK Tour)
Ashley Day (Jerry Mulligan) - An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Hadley Fraser (Frederick Frankenstein) - Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)

Best Live Orchestra/Band
The Wedding Singer (UK Tour)
Rent (UK Tour)
Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Best Ensemble
La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
Vice Versa (RSC - Swan Theatre)
The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
An American In Paris (Dominion Theatre)
Nativity (UK Tour)
Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

Best Royal Shakespeare Company Production
Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
Snow in Midsummer (Swan Theatre)
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
Vice Versa (Swan Theatre)

Best Touring/Regional Production
Sunny Afternoon (UK Tour)
La Cage Aux Folles (UK Tour)
Rent (UK Tour)
Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House Theatre)
The Addams Family (UK Tour)
Crazy For You (UK Tour)
Legally Blonde (UK Tour)
Nativity (UK Tour)

Best NEW* West End Musical
Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
Half A Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre)
The Wind in the Willows (London Palladium)
Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (London Coliseum)
Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre)
42nd Street (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

*first time I've seen it, not necessarily a new musical.

It's been a truly incredible year in terms of theatre and I hope 2018 is as strong. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.

My 2016 Theatre Awards.

Again as with previous years, my theatre awards from the theatre shows I've seen in the year 2016. All for a bit of fun and are my personal opinion.

Winners are in bold.

Best Supporting Actress In A Play: (2015 winner - Nadia Albina)
Eleanor Wyld (Lucifer/Scholar/Friar) - Doctor Faustus (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Lucy Ellinson (Puck) - Midsummer Nights Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Laura Riseborough (Helena) - Midsummer Nights Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Danusia Samal (Jailer's Daughter) - The Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Laura Riseborough (right) as Helena in Midsummer Nights Dream

Best Supporting Actor In A Play: (2015 winner - Larne Malaolu)
Joshua McCord (Samson Currasco) - Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Sandy Grierson (Mephistopheles - Doctor Faustus (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Joe Dixon (Calaban) - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Mark Quartley (Ariel) - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Sandy Grierson as Mephistopheles in Doctor Faustus. photo by Helen Maybanks

Best Leading Actress In A Play: (2015 winner - Catrin Stewart)
Ayesha Dharker (Titania) - Midsummer Nights Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Frances McNamee (Emilia) - The Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company) 
Jenny Rainsford (Miranda) - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Frances McNamee as Emilia in The Two Noble Kinsmen

Best Leading Actor In A Play: (2015 winner - Alex Hassell)
David Threlfall (Don Quixote) - Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Rufus Hound (Sancho Panza) - Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Oliver Ryan (Doctor Faustus - Doctor Faustus (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Barry Green (Bottom) - Midsummer Nights Dream (Royal Shakespeare Company)
James Corrigan (Palamon) - The Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Jamie Wilkes (Arcite) - The Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Simon Russell Beale (Prospero) - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company) 

Simon Russell Beale as Prospero in The Tempest. Photo by Tristram Kenton

 Best Set Design: (2015 winner - Bunny Christie):
Ti Green - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Tim Shortall - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Simon Higlett - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour)
Bob Crowley - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Michael Pavelka - Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)
Anna Fleischle - The Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Stephen Brimson Lewis - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company)

The Cave of Wonders Set in Aladdin.

Best Lighting Design (2015 winner -Kenneth Posner): 
Tim Deiling - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Ben Ormerod - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Natasha Katz - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Lee Curran - Doctor Faustus (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Simon Spencer - The Tempest (Royal Shakespeare Company)

The Tempest. photo by Topher McGrills

Best Costume Design: (2015 winner - Gregg Barnes)
Ti Green - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Paul Wills - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Robert Innes Hopkins - Don Quixote (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Gregg Barnes - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre) 

Agrabah Costumes in Aladdin.

Best Choreography: (2015 winner  - Mitch Sebastian)
Bill Deamer - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Andrew Wright - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Casey Nicholaw - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Lynne Page - Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)
Matthew Cole - Footloose (UK Tour)

Best Understudy Performance: (2015 winner - Ryan O'Donnell)
Jessica Parker (Kate Monster/ Lucy The Slut) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Callum Francis (Lola) - Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre)
Robbie White (Dave Davies) - Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre)
Luke Thornton (Willard) - Footloose (UK Tour)
Lisa-Anne Wood (Christine) - The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre)
Charlotte Scott (Miss Honey) - Matilda (Cambridge Theatre)
Jermaine Woods (Iago) - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)

Lisa Anne Wood as Christine backstage at The Phantom of the Opera

Best Supporting Actress In A Musical: (2015 winner - Lara Pulver)
Catherine Tate (Myrna Ranapapadophilou) - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Arina II (Christmas Eve) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Sam Bailey (Mama Morton) - Chicago (UK Tour)
Joanna Sawyer (Rusty) - Footloose (UK Tour)
Rebecca Caine (Mother Abbess) - The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

Joanna Sawyer (centre) in Footloose. photo by Matt Martin

Best Supporting Actor In A Musical: (2015 winner - George Maguire)
Simon Lipkin (Lou Lubowitz) - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Jamie Foreman (Arthur) - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Stephen Arden (Trekkie Monster/ Nicky/ Bad Idea Bear) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Jason Donovan (Sam Phillips) - Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour)

Simon Lipkin (right) in Miss Atomic Bomb. photo by Tristram Kenton.

Best Leading Actress In A Musical: (2015 winner - Imelda Staunton)
Florance Andrews (Candy Johnson) - Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Tracie Bennett (Laura Henderson) - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Emma Williams (Maureen) - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Jessica Parker (Kate Monster/ Lucy The Slut) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Jade Ewen (Jasmine) - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Hayley Tamaddon (Roxie Hart) - Chicago (UK Tour)
Sheridan Smith (Fanny Brice) - Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)
Lisa-Anne Wood (Christine) - The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre)
Zaris-Angel Hator (Matilda) - Matilda (Cambridge Theatre)
Lucy O'Byrne (Maria) - The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

Emma Williams as Maureen in Mrs Henderson Presents

Best Leading Actor In A Musical: (2015 winner - John Dagleish)
Ian Bartholomew (Vivian Van Damm) - Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Matt Corner (Frankie Valli) - Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre)
Richard Lowe (Princeton/ Rod) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Jason Manford (Caractacus Potts) - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour)
Dean John Wilson (Aladdin) - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Darius Campbell (Nick Arnstein) - Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)
Luke Baker (Ren McCormack) - Footloose (UK Tour)
Ben Forster (The Phantom) - The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre)
Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie) - Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Martin Kaye (Jerry Lee Lewis) - Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour)

Trevor Dion Nicholas as The Genie in Aladdin.

Best Royal Shakespeare Company Production: (2015 winner - Love's Sacrifice)
Don Quixote
Doctor Faustus
Midsummer Nights Dream - A Play for the Nation
The Two Noble Kinsmen
The Tempest

 

Best Touring/Regional Musical: (2015 Winner - Mary Poppins)
Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour)
Chicago (UK Tour)
Footloose (UK Tour)
Million Dollar Quartet (UK Tour) 
The Sound of Music (UK Tour)

Best NEW* West End Musical: (2015 Winner - Sunny Afternoon)
Miss Atomic Bomb (St James Theatre)
Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward Theatre)
Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre)
Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre)

*NEW - first time I'd seen this production, not necessarily a new show.

Thanks for reading, Please share your favourite moments of theatre in 2016 in the comments section.