57TH EVENING STANDARD THEATRE AWARDS

THEATRE: Savoy Hotel, London

DATE: 20-11-2011

HOST: Dame Edna Everage

Last night the UK’s oldest theatre awards, the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, were handed out for the 57^th time. The National Theatre was the most honoured theatre and the biggest story of the night was the Best Actor tie. Co-stars Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch won for alternating as Doctor Frankenstein and his monster in Danny Boyle’s production of “Frankenstein” (NT). I missed this sell-out-production, but I’ve seen both actors previously on stage and know they are excellent at their craft. Congrats to both.

 Jonny Lee Miller & Benedict Cumberbatch in "Frankenstein"

I am seeing Best Play: One Man, Two Guvnors by Richard Bean (NT) and Best Musical: Matilda (Royal Shakespeare Company) winners next month and will subsequently post my reviews over here. Significantly both winners were developed by subsidised theatres. Matilda and One Man, Two Guvnors have both received commercial transfers to the West End and the latter is also moving to Broadway next April.

 The RSC's "Matilda, The Musical"

Revered British auteur (of stage and screen) Mike Leigh received the Best Director prize for Grief (NT). I was particularly pleased that Sheridan Smith took home the Best Actress award for her heart-warming turn in Terrence Rattigan’s rarely seen gem Flare Path. Smith really is something special and the splendid letter scene between her and James Purefoy had me in tears. Earlier in the year Smith also won the Olivier Award for her brilliant ditzy turn in the musical Legally Blonde.

 Sheridan Smith in "Flare Path"

Surprisingly Adam Cork, a sound designer, went home with the Design Award for his work on Anna Christie with Jude Law and King Lear with Sir Derek Jacobi at the Donmar Warehouse. That theatre’s artistic director Michael Grandage also won the special Editor’s Award “for making the Donmar Warehouse a star”. Grandage is one of my all time favorite directors and I am thrilled he was recognised for his supreme work at the Donmar, which he is leaving at the end of the year. His last production will be Edward II with Eddie Redmayne. I saw his first (The Vortex) and definitely must see the last production of his fabulous Donmar reign.

 Director Michael Grandage

I was disappointed by the dance collaboration between the Pet Shop Boys and choreographer Javier de Frutos: The Most Incredible Thing. It is based on a Hans Christian Andersen story and was awarded with the Beyond Theatre Award. The sell-out production is returning to Sadler’s Wells next year.

 Clemmie Sveaas & Aaron Sillis in "The Most Incredible Thing"

Kristin Scott Thomas was rightly nominated for her insightful work in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal. Even though she did not go home with the Best Actress prize she was awarded The Lebedev Special Award “for her contribution to theatre”. This was the third time I had the pleasure of seeing Scott Thomas light up the stage (the other times were in Pirandello’s As You Desire Me and her Olivier Award-winning turn in Chekhov's The Seagull). Also receiving special praise was Tom Stoppard “for his contribution to Russian theatre and the international stage". This year I finally saw glorious productions of his break-through-hit (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) and masterpiece (Aracadia). Both special awards are highly deserved!

 Kristin Scott Thomas with Douglas Henshall in "Betrayal"

Finally, Kyle Soller received the Outstanding Newcomer prize. Soller was stunning in probably my favorite new play of the year: The Faith Machine (Royal Court). Very pleased this very promising dude won!

 

Hayley Atwell & Kyle Soller in "The Faith Machine"