Arts Council England
sponsor of Best Director

ACE are the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let's Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk

Crossroads Live
sponsor of Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer

Crossroads Live is a global theatre producer. Through our production offices in North America, the UK and Australia and our network of producing partnerships in Asia and Europe, we work with the foremost creative talent and rightsholders, to present the best-loved titles from Broadway and the West End to audiences around the world. Current productions/co-productions include And Then There Were None, Annie, Cats, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dear Evan Hansen, Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Elf, Frankenstein, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mean Girls, My Best Friend’s Wedding, Pretty Woman, Sister Act, The Phantom of the Opera, TINA - The Tina Turner Musical, and Wicked.

As the world’s leading pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes also produces 23 pantomimes every year in the UK. Crossroads Live, connecting with audiences worldwide www.Xroadslive.com

Michael Harrison Entertainment
sponsor of Best Performer in a Musical

Michael Harrison’s West End musicals include: The Little Big Things (@sohoplace); Crazy For You (Gillian Lynne); The Wizard of Oz (The London Palladium); Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s); The Drifters Girl (Garrick); two seasons of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The London Palladium); Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (Garrick); Gypsy (Savoy) and The Bodyguard (Adelphi and Dominion). With Andrew Lloyd Webber for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals: Sunset Boulevard (Savoy) starring Nicole Scherzinger. Later this year, Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and Sunset Boulevard will transfer to Broadway. 

Upcoming 2024 productions include: Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton (The London Palladium); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond (Edinburgh Playhouse); War Horse (UK Tour). Michael’s London Palladium pantomimes: Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Pantoland, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Snow White, Dick Whittington and Cinderella, have proved to be huge popular hits, with Dick Whittington winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family. www.michaelharrisonentertainment.com

Noël Coward Foundation
sponsor of Best West End Debut Performer

One hundred years ago, Noёl Coward debuted as a playwright in the West End at the age of twenty, and was hailed as a significant new talent. Throughout his life, Coward took an interest in and mentored up-and-coming artists across the industry, so to mark this centenary The Noёl Coward Foundation is celebrating today’s emerging theatre-makers by sponsoring this award in his name.

The Noël Coward Foundation was set up in 2000 and awards grants to education and development projects across the Arts while also continues the keen interest Coward himself took in charitable work during his lifetime. The Foundation is proud to support a diverse range of outstanding organisations working in theatre, music, playwriting, academic research and many other areas. www.noelcoward.com

Preevue
sponsor of Best Designer

Preevue is a leading provider of LiDAR laser scanning and 3D CAD visualisation for theatre, live events, and media & entertainment.

Their services include laser scanning, the creation of 3D Digital Twins, theatre production visualisation, and bespoke box office views-from-seats. Preevue produce architecturally and visually accurate 3D CAD models of venues and set designs that enable creative and production teams to work in digital replicas, minimising time needed on-site and reducing the need for travel. 

Preevue clients include ATG Entertainment, LW Theatres, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, the Royal Opera House, Disney, the National Theatre, Barbican Centre, the RSC, and English National Opera. Outside of theatre, media & entertainment clients include NBCUniversal, Paramount and Disney. www.preevue.com

Sonia Friedman Productions 
sponsor of Best Writer

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS is an international production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and New York. SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS has developed, initiated and been lead producer of over 180 new productions and together the company has been responsible for winning 58 Olivier Awards, 34 Tonys and 3 BAFTAs. Current productions include: The Book of Mormon, West End and UK and Europe tour, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London, New York, Melbourne, San Francisco, Hamburg, Toronto and Tokyo, Funny Girl, New York, Dreamgirls UK tour. Forthcoming productions include: Eureka Day, London; Merrily We Roll Along, New York; The Doctor, UK tour and London; The Piano Lesson, New York; Leopoldstadt, New York. www.soniafriedman.com

Theatrical Rights Worldwide 
sponsor of Best Performer in a Play

With headquarters in New York and London, and offices in numerous countries, Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) is a globally recognised, leading plays and musicals licensing company, representing popular favourites from Broadway (Tony Award® winners), West End (Olivier Award winners), Off-Broadway, and regional theatres.
Working on behalf of writers, TRW grants live-stage production rights to a wide range of professional, amateur, and school customers. Our plays and musicals suit all groups and range from the standard full-length Broadway Editions to our expertly crafted School Editions, 60-minute Young@Part Editions, 30-minute Younger@Part Editions, and much more. Visit www.theatricalrights.co.uk for your next show!

Best Performer in a Musical

sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment

WINNER:

Jeevan Braich for ‘Starlight Express’ at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Grace Hodgett Young for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at the Savoy Theatre

Also shortlisted:

Scarlett Ayers for ‘The Verge of Forever’ at The Other Palace
Laura Dawkes for ‘Frozen’ at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Myles Frost for ‘MJ the Musical’ at the Prince Edward Theatre
Joshua Ginsberg for ‘Cable Street’ at Southwark Playhouse Borough

Best Director

Sponsored by Arts Council England

WINNER:

Sophie Drake for ‘The Bleeding Tree’ at Southwark Playhouse Borough

Also shortlisted:

Ellie Coote for ‘42 Balloons’ at The Lowry
Emily Foran for ‘Little Women’ at The Lyric Theatre

Best Designer

Sponsored by Preevue

WINNER:

Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom for Video Design for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at the Savoy Theatre

Also shortlisted:

Ellie Koslowsky for Set Design for ‘Vegetables’ at a secret location in London 
Nadya Sayapina (Set), Anastasiya Ryabova and Lidiia Dresch-Pyshna (Costume) and Dmytro Guk (Video and Projection) for ‘King Stakh’s Wild Hunt’ at the Barbican Theatre 
Skylar Turnbull Hurd for Lighting Design for ‘These Demons’ at Theatre503

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer

Sponsored by Crossroads Live

WINNER:

Jack Godfrey for ‘42 Balloons’ at The Lowry

Also shortlisted:

Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab for ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ at Leeds Playhouse
Nick Butcher and Tom Ling for ‘The Little Big Things’ at @ sohoplace
Elvis Costello for ‘Cold War’ at The Almeida Theatre

Best Writer

sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions

WINNER:

Sam Grabiner for ‘Boys on the Verge of Tears’ at Soho Theatre

Azuka Oforka for ‘The Women of Llanrumney’ at the Sherman Theatre

Also shortlisted:

Martha Loader for ‘Bindweed’ at the Mercury Theatre
Harry McDonald for ‘Foam’ at the Finborough Theatre
Hannah Morley for ‘We Could All Be Perfect’ at Sheffield Theatres
Anastasia Osei-Kuffour for ‘Love Steps’ at the Omnibus Theatre

Best West End Debut Performer

Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation

WINNER:

Jack Wolfe for ‘Next to Normal’ at Wyndham’s Theatre

Also shortlisted:

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the Duke of York's Theatre
Will Close for ‘Dear England’ at the National Theatre
Billy Crudup for ‘Harry Clarke’ at the Ambassadors Theatre
Grace Hodgett Young for ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at the Savoy Theatre
Toheeb Jimoh for ‘Player Kings’ at the Noël Coward Theatre
Ed Larkin for ‘The Little Big Things’ at @ sohoplace
Louis McCartney for ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ at the Phoenix Theatre

Best Creative West End Debut

sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment

WINNER:

Daniel Bailey (Director) for ‘Red Pitch’ at @ sohoplace 

Shortlisted:

Jim Barne (Composer) and Kit Buchan (Lyricist) for ‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)’ at the Criterion Theatre
Marcelo Dos Santos (Writer) for ‘Backstairs Billy’, at the Duke of York’s Theatre
Kip Williams (Director) for ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Brian Yorkey (Lyricist) and Tom Kitt (Composer) for ‘Next to Normal’, at Wyndham’s Theatre

Best Performer in a Play

Sponsored by Cabbells

WINNER:

Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Also shortlisted:

Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London

Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London

Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring

Daniel Rock for Richard The Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring

Best Performer in a Play

Sponsored by Cabbells

WINNER:

Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare's Globe, London

Also shortlisted:

Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London

Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London

Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring

Daniel Rock for Richard The Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring

Best Performer in a Musical

sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line

WINNER:

Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield

Also shortlisted:

Liv Andrusier for Ride at Charing Cross Theatre, London

Josh Barnett for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

Arcangelo Ciulla for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

Carla Dixon-Hernandez for Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre, London

Drew Hylton for Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale at Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring

Maisie Smith for Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring

Best Director

Sponsored by Arts Council England

WINNER:

Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Daniel Blake for Bones at Park Theatre, London

Indiana Lown-Collins for The Solid Life of Sugar Water at Orange Tree Theatre, London

Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring

Best Designer

Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

WINNER:

Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) for Agatha at Theatre503, London

Peter Butler (set & costume) for The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer

Sponsored by Crossroads Live

WINNER:

Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Gerel Falconer for Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London

Jenny Moore for Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London

Lilly Pollard for Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London

Best Writer

sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions

WINNER:

Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Sasha Hails for Possession at Arcola Theatre, London

Lenny Henry for August in England at Bush Theatre, London

Jennifer Lunn for Es & Flo at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Richard Mylan for Sorter at Swansea Grand Theatre

Zak Zarafshan for The Boys Are Kissing at Theatre503, London

Best West End Debut Performer

Sponsored by TodayTix

WINNER:

Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace

Also shortlisted:

Emily Fairn for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace

Mike Faist for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace

Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre

Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend at Criterion Theatre

Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Phoenix Theatre

Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies at Noël Coward Theatre

Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky at National Theatre

Best Creative West End Debut

sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment

WINNER:

Tingying Dong (Sound Designer) for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre

Shortlisted:

Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre

David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts (SpitLip) (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre

Michael R Jackson (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre

Scott Le Crass (Director) for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre

Best Creative West End Debut

sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment

WINNER:

Rob Madge (Writer) for My Son's a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre

Shortlisted:

Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre

David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts (SpitLip) (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre

Michael R Jackson (Composer, Lyricist & Book Writer) for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre

Scott Le Crass (Director) for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre

Best Performer in a Play

WINNERS:

Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl at Voila! Europe Theatre Festival, London

Ensemble of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
at the New Diorama and Royal Court, London (Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo,
Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh, Kaine Lawrence)

Also shortlisted:

Samuel Creasey for Book of Dust at Bridge Theatre, London
Kudzai Mangombe for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London
Saba Shiraz for An Adventure at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tommy Sim’aan for Starcrossed at Wilton's Music Hall, London
Joe Usher for Rock / Paper / Scissors at Sheffield Theatres
Michael Workeye for House of Ife at the Bush Theatre, London
Dewi Wykes for Petula at National Theatre Wales

Best Performer in a Musical

sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line

WINNER:

Elijah Ferreira for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Leeds Playhouse

Also shortlisted:

Hugh Coles for Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre, London
Ben Joyce for Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Theatre, London
Bella Maclean for Spring Awakening at the Almeida, London
Joe Pitts for Spring Awakening at the Almeida, London

Best Director

sponsored by Theatredor

WINNER:

Monique Touko for Malindadzimu at Hampstead Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:
Anthony Almeida for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Curve, Leicester
Alice Fitzgerald for Purple Snowflakes and Titty Wanks at the Royal Court, London

Best Designer

WINNER:

TK Hay (set and costume) for An Adventure at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Also shortlisted:
Caitlin Mawhinney (set and costume) for My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored /
Teechers Leavers at Leeds Playhouse/Hull Truck
Liz Whitbread (set and costume) for Favour at the Bush Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer

WINNER:

John Patrick Elliott for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Jordan Paul Clarke & Francesca Forristal for Public Domain at Vaudeville Theatre, London
Lauryn Redding for Bloody Elle at the Royal Exchange, Manchester

Best Writer

sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions

WINNER:

Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch at the Bush Theatre, London

Also shortlisted:

Kemi-Bo Jacobs for All White Everything But Me at the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

Eilidh Loan for Moorcroft at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow

Best West End Debut Performer

WINNER:

Jodie Comer for Prima Facie the Harold Pinter Theatre

Also shortlisted:

Lizzie Annis for The Glass Menagerie at Duke of York's Theatre
Emilia Clarke for The Seagull the Harold Pinter Theatre
Hugh Coles for Back to the Future the Musical at Adelphi Theatre
Emma Corrin for Anna X the Harold Pinter Theatre
Sutton Foster for Anything Goes at the Barbican
Hannah Jarrett-Scott for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the Criterion
Ben Joyce for Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Studios

Best Creative West End Debut

sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment

WINNER:

Julia Cheng (choreographer) for Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre, London

Shortlisted:

Tacita Dean (designer) for The Dante Project at the Royal Opera House
Jack Holden (writer) for Cruise at the Duchess Theatre
Yasmin Joseph (writer) for J'Ouvert at the Harold Pinter Theatre
Isobel McArthur (writer) for Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) at the Criterion
Rebekah Murrell (director) for J'Ouvert at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Eligibility

To be eligible for The Stage Debut Awards 2024 you must meet the following conditions:

Judging Process