Paapa Essiedu and Jessica Brown Findlay tipped for Ian Charleson Awards

Paapa Essiedu and Jessica Brown Findlay are among the nominees announced for this year’s Ian Charleson Awards.

The awards were created in memory of Charleson, who died in 1991, and they reward actors under the age of 30 performing in a classical role.

Essiedu has been nominated for his roles in Hamlet and as Edmund in King Lear, both at the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Brown Findlay is up for her performance as Sonya in the Almeida Theatre’s production of Uncle Vanya.

Francesca Mills is also among the nominees for Ramps on the Moon and Birmingham Rep’s production of The Government Inspector, alongside Fisayo Akinade for Saint Joan at the Donmar Warehouse.

James Corrigan, Emma Curtis, Marcus Griffiths, Felicity Huxley-Miners, Marc Rhys, Natalie Simpson, Ewan Somers, Marli Siu, Joanna Vanderham and Paksie Vernon complete the shortlist, which was announced in The Sunday Times.

The first, second and third prize winners will receive £5,000, £2,000 and £500 respectively. They will be announced at a ceremony at the National Theatre on June 5.

Last year’s first prize winner was James McArdle, who won for his performance in Platonov at Chichester Festival Theatre.