The winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2024 were unveiled at a celebratory ceremony hosted by Faye Tozer at 8 Northumberland Avenue. These prestigious awards honour the very best of theatre from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, recognising creative excellence and outstanding work both on and off stage.
With winners representing all four nations, the event highlighted the diversity and strength of the UK theatre industry. Leeds Playhouse’s production of Oliver! led the way with two major wins, including Best Musical Production and Best Performance in a Musical for Jenny Fitzpatrick.
In the On Stage categories, Best Director went to Drew McOnie for The Artist at Theatre Royal Plymouth, while Best Play Revival was awarded to Rhino at Lyric Theatre Belfast. Best New Play went to Swim, Aunty, Swim! from the Belgrade Theatre. The Stephen Joseph Theatre’s production of Beauty And The Beast took home Best Show for Children & Young People, and Achievement in Dance was awarded to Mehek, a co-production by Aakash Odedra Company and Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company. Achievement in Opera went to Welsh National Opera for Death In Venice.
In the acting categories, Best Performance in a Play was awarded to David Shields for Punch at Nottingham Playhouse, and Best Supporting Performance was given to Chumisa Dornford-May for her role in Evita at the Curve Theatre.
Polka Theatre was crowned the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre, beating out strong competition. Off-stage recognition included Chichester Festival Theatre winning the Excellence in Sustainability Award, and the Excellence in Inclusivity Award going to Antony & Cleopatra at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Full List of Winners at the UK Theatre Awards 2024:
On Stage Awards: Best Design: Kenneth MacLeod for Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning (National Theatre of Scotland & Aberdeen Performing Arts co-production with Belgrade Theatre)
Best Director: Drew McOnie for The Artist (Theatre Royal Plymouth, McOnie Company, Playful Productions & Bill Damaschke)
Best Musical Production: Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse, in association with Cameron Mackintosh)
Best New Play: Swim, Aunty, Swim! (Belgrade Theatre, in association with tiata fahodzi)
Best Play Revival: Rhino (Tinderbox Theatre Company at Lyric Theatre Belfast)
Achievement in Dance: Mehek (Aakash Odedra Company & Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company)
Achievement in Opera: Death In Venice (Welsh National Opera, in association with NoFit State)
Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play): Chumisa Dornford-May for Evita (Curve Theatre)
Best Performance in a Musical: Jenny Fitzpatrick for Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse)
Best Performance in a Play: David Shields for Punch (Nottingham Playhouse)
Best Show for Children & Young People: Beauty And The Beast (Stephen Joseph Theatre)
Off Stage Awards:Excellence in Arts Education: Royal Shakespeare Company
Excellence in Touring: Parti Priodas (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru)
Excellence in Inclusivity: Antony & Cleopatra (Shakespeare’s Globe)
Excellence in Sustainability: Chichester Festival Theatre
Workforce Award: Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre
UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre: Polka Theatre
Special Recognition: Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre: Jenny Sealey OBE (Artistic Director of Graeae)
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, praised the winners, saying:
This year’s UK Theatre Awards ceremony has been a truly joyful celebration and a real testament to the quality and diversity of the work that our members do both on and off the stage and in their local communities. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees."
The UK Theatre Awards 2024 were sponsored by Encore, with support from AKT, Cunard, Harbottle & Lewis, John Good Ltd, MTI Europe, Theatre Tokens, Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical, Unusual Rigging, and White Light.
photo credit: Pamela Raith
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