Hi Theatre-goers
First off a BIG Happy 18th Birthday to my niece who is a keen theatre-goer herself and has been to many shows with me… long may her love of theatre continue!
At the end of last week the 2013 What’s On Stage Awards nominations were announced. With so many amazing shows opening in the past year, the National Theatre leads the way with an unprecedented 25 nominations! So, what’s been the theatrical highlight of your year? Any of these tick the box?
Following its opening last week, The Bodyguard has received 6 nominations including Best New Musical and Best Actress In A Musical for leading lady Heather Headley. Although the show received mixed reviews in the papers, I thought it was an outstanding piece of theatre.
The National’s productions of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and the Simon Russell Beale-led Timon Of Athens both get several nominations. The former mentioned play transfers to the Apollo theatre in 2013 whilst Simon Russell Beale is currently ‘entertaining the troops’ in Privates on Parade at the Noel Coward theatre.
In the battle for Best Actress In A Play is former pop-princess Billie Piper, tv, film & theatre stalwart Julie Walters as well as double Olivier Award-winner Sheridan Smith for Hedda Gabler and Sally Hawkins for her performance in Nick Payne’s award-winning play Constellations which is now showing at the Duke of Yorks theatre.
The list male nominees are just as impressive including Mark Rylance, Stephen Fry, Michael Ball, Mark Gatiss, Rupert Everett, Will Young, Tim Minchin, Rob Brydon, Michael Ball, Tom Chambers, Adam Cooper and Lloyd Owen.
Alongside The Bodyguard, other contenders in for Best New Musical are Top Hat, Loserville, Singin’ In The Rain and Kiss Me, Kate.
The winners will be revealed on 17 February at the Palace theatre.
Have a great Monday everyone
Sara