NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 24TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE

24TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

GUYS & DOLLS LEADS WITH 12 NOMINATIONS

AND DEAR ENGLAND LEADS THE STRAIGHT PLAY CATEGORIES

WITH 10 NOMINATIONS IN A BUMPER YEAR FOR THE NATIONAL THEATRE

Hiba Elchikhe and Tim Mahendran today announced the nominations for the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major theatre prize-giving decided by the theatregoers themselves. The announcement of the nominations marks the opening of the final voting stage (until 11 January), with winners announced at the annual Awards ceremony held on 11 February 2024 at The London Palladium for the first time in the awards’ history.

WhatsOnStage’s Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said today, “Watching our readers nominating in their record-setting droves was such a fantastic way to spend November and we’re thrilled to see them generate such a stellar and vibrant shortlist – filled with rising stars shoulder-to-shoulder with long-time favourites. It’s been an incredible year for the National Theatre, under out-going Artistic Director Rufus Norris, seeing the flagship venue receive an incredible 24 nominations across 5 productions – two of which, Dear England and The Motive and The Cue also transferred to the West End.

“Alongside our co-producers Alex Parker and Damian Sandys we’ve been assembling an exciting concert line-up laden with new musicals and fan favourites – ready to rock the iconic London Palladium in February. Now, it’s up to you to decide who take home the top prizes on the night!”

The Bridge Theatre’s critically acclaimed smash-hit production of Guys & Dolls leads the pack this year, with 12 nominations including Best Performer in a Musical for Marisha Wallace, Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for Cedric Neal, Best Professional Debut Performance for Andrew Richardson, Best Direction for Nicholas Hytner, Best Musical Revival, as well as nominations for Best Musical Supervision (Tom Brady), Best Choreography (Arlene Phillips with James Cousins), Best Costume Design (Bunny Christie), Best Lighting Design (Paule Constable), Best Set Design (Bunny Christie), Best Sound Design (Paul Arditti – double nominated for his work on Stranger Things: The First Shadow), and Best Graphic Design (Bridge Theatre). Also performing strongly in the musical categories are Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard with Nicole Scherzinger with 9 nominations, and Michael Longhurst’s production of Next to Normal at the Donmar Warehouse with 6 nominations.

This year was a brilliant one for the National Theatre, who receive 24 nominations in total – they lead the straight play categories with their phenomenally successful production of James Graham’s Dear England with 10 nominations, including Best Performer in a Play for Joseph Fiennes’ portrayal of Gareth Southgate, Best Supporting Performer in a Play for Will Close, Best Direction for Rupert Goold, Best New Play, Best Casting Direction for Bryony Jarvis-Taylor – also nominated for her work on The Witches, Best Choreography (Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf), Best Lighting Design for Jon Clark – one of 3 nominations for Clark, Best Sound Design (Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons), Best Video Design for Ash J Woodward – also nominated for The Witches, and Best Graphic Design (Rick Guest, Rob Rae and the NT Graphics Studio). Also featuring strongly in the straight play categories are Stranger Things: The First Shadow, currently in previews at the Phoenix Theatre, with 8 nominations, and The Effect – also directed by Lloyd, with 5 nominations at the National Theatre.

In addition to nominations for Dear England, The Effect and The Witches, the National Theatre takes nominations for The Motive and The Cue – about to open in the West End, and Phaedra.

Completing the gender-free performance categories, in the Best Performer in a Play category, facing Joseph Fiennes are Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell both for The Effect, Andrew Scott for VANYA, Sheridan Smith for Shirley Valentine, and James Norton for A Little Life. The latter production, also saw a double nomination in the Best Supporting Performer in a Play for Luke Thompson and Zubin Varla, who go up against Michele Austin (also for The Effect), Will Close (Dear England), Bryony Corrigan (I, Daniel Blake), and Anjana Vasan (A Streetcar Named Desire).

In the Best Performer in a Musical category Scherzinger and Wallace face stiff competition from Next to Normal’s Caissie Levy, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay for Disney’s Newsies, Natasha Hodgson for Operation Mincemeat, and Ed Larkin for The Little Bigs Things; and in the Best Supporting Performer in a Musical category, Cedric Neal’s fellow nominees are Aynrand Ferrer for Miss Saigon, Jak Malone for Operation Mincemeat, Jason Manford for The Wizard of Oz, Amy Trigg for The Little Big Things and Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal.

Completing the performance categories, in Professional Debut alongside Andrew Richardson are Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown, Laura Dawkes for Frozen, Lou Henry for SIX, Grace Hodgett-Young for Sunset Boulevard, and Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow; and in Best Takeover, Karis Anderson (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical), Cory English (Back to the Future: The Musical), Lucy St.Louis (Wicked) and three nominations for Cabaret for Mason Alexander Park, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem, and Aimee Lou Wood.

Best New Musical is a closely contested category with Disney’s Newsies, The Little Big Things, Mrs Doubtfire, Next to Normal, Operation Mincemeat, and The Time Traveller’s Wife in contention; with Best Musical Revival featuring La Cage aux Folles, The Lord of the Rings, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz up against the heavily nominated Guys & Dolls and Sunset Boulevard.

Dear England goes up against A Little Life, Cowbois, Hamnet, The Motive and The Cue and Stranger Things: The First Shadow for Best New Play; with Best Revival of a Play seeing nominations for A Streetcar Named Desire, The Effect, The Merchant of Venice 1936, The Pillowman, Shirley Valentine and VANYA.

Hytner and Goold, are joined by Polly Findlay for Assassins, Rebecca Frecknall for A Streetcar Named Desire, Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard and Sam Mendes for The Motive and The Cue in a heavily garlanded Best Direction category.

The long runners battle it out for Best West End Show, with Back to the Future: The Musical, Cabaret, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and SIX all aiming to be the fan favourite; with Best Off-West End Production featuring Flowers for Mrs Harris, George Takei’s Allegiance, Othello, Rebecca, Scouts! The Musical and The Shape of Things; and Best Regional Production between Boys from the Blackstuff, Choir Boy, In Dreams, The Lord of the Rings, Miss Saigon and To Wong Foo The Musical; and again a strong year for the Best Concert, a form that continues with strength post pandemic, with Ariana DeBose and Darren Criss up against Evita, Love Never Dies, Once and Schwartz at 75.

Taking place on Sunday 11 February 2024, the evening will see winners crowned across a range of categories. Theatregoers will also enjoy a host of exclusive live performances, which will be announced soon, from top stage talent, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra. The event, co-produced with creative directors Alex Parker and Damian Sandys, is currently on sale.

Now in their 24th year, the WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves. 

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NOMINATIONS IN FULL:

BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY TICKX                              

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Natasha Hodgson, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Ed Larkin, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Caissie Levy, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Marisha Wallace, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY NEWMAN DISPLAYS                      

Aynrand Ferrer, Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Jason Manford, The Wizard of Oz, The London Palladium

Cedric Neal, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Amy Trigg, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Jack Wolfe, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY SPONSORED BY SINE DIGITAL                                        

Paapa Essiedu,   The Effect, National Theatre

Joseph Fiennes, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

James Norton, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Taylor Russell, The Effect, National Theatre

Andrew Scott, VANYA, Duke of York’s Theatre

Sheridan Smith, Shirley Valentine, Duke of York’s Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY                                                       

Michele Austin, The Effect, National Theatre

Will Close, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Bryony Corrigan, I, Daniel Blake, UK tour

Luke Thompson, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Zubin Varla, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Anjana Vasan, A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

BEST TAKEOVER PERFORMANCE SPONSORED BY AKT LONDON                                

Karis Anderson, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre

Cory English, Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Mason Alexander Park, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Lucy St. Louis, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Aimee Lou Wood, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

BEST PROFESSIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCE SPONSORED BY AKA                                         

Rita Bernard-Shaw, Trouble in Butetown, Donmar Warehouse

Laura Dawkes, Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Lou Henry, SIX, UK tour

Grace Hodgett-Young, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Louis McCartney, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Andrew Richardson, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

BEST NEW MUSICAL SPONSORED BY TRAVELZOO                                          

Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

The Little Big Things, @sohoplace

Mrs. Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre

Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL SPONSORED BY CONCORD THEATRICALS                                          

Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

The Sound of Music, Chichester Festival Theatre

Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

The Wizard of Oz, Curve, Leicester and The London Palladium

BEST NEW PLAY SPONSORED BY TICKETMASTER                                            

A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Cowbois, Swan Theatre

Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Hamnet , Swan Theatre / Garrick Theatre

The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

BEST PLAY REVIVAL SPONSORED BY EDWARDIAN HOTELS, OFFICAL HOTEL PARTNER                      

A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

The Effect, National Theatre

The Merchant of Venice 1936, UK tour

The Pillowman, Duke of York’s Theatre

Shirley Valentine, Duke of York’s Theatre

VANYA, Duke of York’s Theatre

BEST WEST END SHOW SPONSORED BY DEWYNTERS                                    

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Cabaret, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera, His Majesty’s Theatre

SIX, Vaudeville Theatre

BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL                            

Boys from the Black Stuff, Royal Court, Liverpool

Choir Boy, Bristol Old Vic

In Dreams, Leeds Playhouse

The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

To Wong Foo The Musical, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

BEST OFF-WEST END PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE                  

Flowers for Mrs Harris, Riverside Studios

George Takei’s Allegiance, Charing Cross Theatre

Othello, Riverside Studios

Rebecca, Charing Cross Theatre

Scouts! The Musical, The Other Palace Studio

The Shape of Things, Park Theatre

BEST CONCERT EVENT                                               

Ariana DeBose in Concert, The London Palladium

Darren Criss, The London Palladium

Evita in Concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Love Never Dies in Concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Once – In Concert, The London Palladium

Schwartz at 75, Lyric Theatre

BEST DIRECTION SPONSORED BY LOVETHEATRE                              

Polly Findlay, Assassins, Chichester Festival Theatre

Rebecca Frecknall, A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

Rupert Goold, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Nicholas Hytner, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jamie Lloyd, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Sam Mendes, The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION/SUPERVISION                                                         

Mark Aspinall and Sioned Saunders, The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Nick Barstow and Nigel Lilley, Next To Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Cat Beveridge and Nigel Lilley, The Witches, National Theatre

Tom Brady, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Stephen Brooker, Alfonso Casado Trigo and Stephen Metcalfe,

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Gielgud Theatre

Alan Williams, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

BEST CASTING DIRECTION                                                       

Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham, The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

Anna Cooper, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Jill Green, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, The Witches, National Theatre

Jessica Ronane, Charlotte Sutton and Jim Carnahan, Stranger Things: The First Shadow,

Phoenix Theatre

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY SPONSORED BY TANDEM MARKETING                                  

Fabian Aloise, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Matt Cole, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Stephen Mear, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Arlene Phillips with James Cousins, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, Free Your Mind, Factory International

BEST COSTUME DESIGN                                             

Bunny Christie, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, The Witches, National Theatre

Ryan Dawson Laight, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Gregory Gale, To Wong Foo The Musical, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

Gareth Pugh, Free Your Mind, Factory International

Grace Smart, Cowbois, Swan Theatre

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN SPONSORED BY WHITE LIGHT                                  

Rory Beaton and Lucy Carter, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

Jon Clark, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Jon Clark, The Effect, National Theatre

Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Paule Constable, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jack Knowles, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

BEST SET DESIGN SPONSORED BY PREEVUE                                      

Miriam Buether, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Bunny Christie, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, Assassins, Chichester Festival Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, The Witches, National Theatre

Chloe Lamford, Phaedra, National Theatre

Morgan Large, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

BEST SOUND DESIGN                                                 

Paul Arditti, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Adam Fisher, The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Adam Fisher, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Tony Gayle, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

BEST VIDEO DESIGN SPONSORED BY GDL                                          

59 Productions, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Andrzej Goulding, Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

Andrzej Goulding, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

Ash J Woodward, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Ash J Woodward, The Witches, National Theatre

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN SPONSORED BY HEXAGON PRINT                                           

Bob King Creative, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Bridge Theatre, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jeremy Coysten and North Design, Free Your Mind, Factory International

The Creative Partnership, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Feast Creative, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Rick Guest, Rob Rae and the NT Graphics Studio, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre