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Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2007: the shortlist
Evening Standard 7 Nov 2007Billie Piper, Patrick Stewart and Hairspray are some of the names on the shortlist for this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
BEST PLAY
A Disappearing Number Simon McBurney And Complicite (Barbican) Rafta, Rafta Ayub Khan-Din (National's Lyttelton) The Reporter Nicholas Wright (National's Cottesloe)
BEST ACTOR
Charles Dance Shadowlands (Wyndham's Theatre) Robert Lindsay The Entertainer (Old Vic) Mark Rylance Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre) Patrick Stewart Macbeth (Chichester, then Gielgud)
BEST ACTRESS
Anne-Marie Duff Saint Joan (National's Olivier) Billie Piper Treats (Garrick Theatre) Portia The Member Of The Wedding (Young Vic) Penelope Wilton John Gabriel Borkman (Donmar Warehouse)
BEST DESIGN
Felix Barrett And Punchdrunk The Masque Of The Red Death (Punchdrunk at BAC) Robin Don The Emperor Jones (National's Olivier) Rae Smith & The Handspring Puppet Company War Horse (National's Olivier) Anthony Ward Macbeth (Chichester, then Gielgud)
THE SYDNEY EDWARDS AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
Marianne Elliott & Tom Morris War Horse (National's Olivier) Rupert Goold Macbeth (Chichester, then Gielgud) Tim Supple A Midsummer Night's Dream (RSC Swan Theatre, then Roundhouse)
THE NED SHERRIN AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL
Fiddler On The Roof Savoy Theatre Hairspray Shaftesbury Theatre Parade Donmar Warehouse
THE CHARLES WINTOUR AWARD FOR MOST PROMISING PLAYWRIGHT
Hassan Abdulrazzak Baghdad Wedding (Soho Theatre) Lucy Caldwell Leaves (Royal Court Upstairs) Polly Stenham That Face (Royal Court Upstairs)
THE MILTON SHULMAN AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER
Amanda Hale The Glass Menagerie (Apollo Theatre) Matt Smith That Face (Royal Court Upstairs) Stephen Wight Dealer's Choice/Don Juan In Soho (Menier Chocolate Factory/Donmar Warehouse)
Reader views (5)
I have seen Charles Dance in Shadowlands and Patrick Stewart in Macbeth. Both performances were excellent, but I would say Charles Dance was outstanding in his ability to engage the audience and make us laugh and cry. Both the wit and subtle compassion of his character were conveyed beautifully.
- Katherine Lobo, Feltham, 09/12/2007 13:13
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This is for Joanne: if you're able to consider Lee Mead as Joseph for the shortlist recognising outstanding new talent in the theatre, then you're in line with those who collaborated to create 'Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'. I doubt you'll understand what I'm inferring though I'm reluctant to elaborate being as you'd most likely call me a snob. In which case I will defend myself by claiming that theatre isn't about being a passive comsumer in the way exploited as easy for most, it is about participating with our own imagination. I suggest to you that Lee Mead is a product of your own inertia and that he is in no way fit to qualify as a standard for young actors to aspire to.
- Jim Russell, London, 28/11/2007 01:16
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Saw Robert Lindsay in The Entertainer - what a brilliant performance. He deserves an award for being brave enought to take on a role made famous by Olivier and making it his own.
- Jane, Cheshire, England, 23/11/2007 00:56
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Great that War Horse has two shortlisted awards. Shame that there is no category in which the extraordinary achievement of the puppeteers operating the two leading horses, 'Joey' and 'Topthorne', with such skill and sensitivity may be nominated. This category - of alternative performers - is needed more and more.
- Penny Francis, London, 15/11/2007 23:16
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Looking through the shortlist, I was surprised by the omission of Lee Mead from the 'Outstanding Newcomer' category (he didn't even make the longlist!). Surely the rave reviews for his performance as Joseph (in 'Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat') and the fact that he's playing to sell-out audiences night after night should count for something!
- Joanne S, Lancashire, England, 09/11/2007 15:20
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