The Stage Debut Awards nominations announced

I, Joan actor Isobel Thom is among the nominees for The Stage Debut Awards 2023, in association with Ambassador Theatre Group, which also include the awards’ first nomination for a Welsh-language performance for Elan Davies.

Hosted by Divina De Campo, The Stage Debut Awards 2023 will take place on October 1 at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London.

The annual event, which launched in 2017, celebrates breakthrough actors, writers, directors, designers and composers, lyricists and book writers.

Thom was nominated for their role in I, Joan at Shakespeare’s Globe for the best performer in a play category.

Davies was recognised in the same category for her role in Welsh-language play Imrie at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff.

There were a total of 45 nominations across eight categories, with productions at London’s Bush Theatre recognised in four nominations. 

These included two best writer nominations – Lenny Henry for August in England and Anoushka Lucas for Elephant – while Bukky Bakray received a best performer nomination for Sleepova at the Bush and Emily Ling Williams was recognised in the best director category for A Playlist for the Revolution.

This follows the Bush’s success last year, with Tyrell Williams winning best writer for its production of Red Pitch.

Other nominees include Michael R Jackson, who received two nominations for A Strange Loop in the best composer, lyricist or book writer category and the best creative West End debut category.

Also recognised in the best creative West End debut category are Rob Madge for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre and David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts of SpitLip for Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre, with the company already holding The Stage Debut Award 2019 for best composer, lyricist or book writer for the same show.

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