Trafalgar Theatre’s currently home to the West End hit musical Jersey Boys. Tonight, 11th April 2023, the theatre was taken over by the prestigious Pantomime Awards 2023 event.
The glamorous evening of awards, entertainment and hosted by one of the UK’s “national treasures ” Christopher Biggins, the UK Pantomime Association president.
Butlin’s red coats entertained on the red carpet as the guests arrived, adding a touch of circus atmosphere to the evening events. They were on hand all evening in the auditorium to help award winners and hosts to and from their seats throughout the evening.
The evening would not have been complete without a fitting and heartfelt tribute to the remarkable and entertaining Paul O’Grady who had recently passed away. It is clear from the standing ovation at the end that he will be terribly missed in the world of entertainment.
A special lifettime award was awarded to Su Pollard for her many decades of passion and commitment to treading the boards in pantos around the country and her ongoing support to those in the industry.
Sir Ian McKellen won a special recognition award, which celebrates productions and individuals representing UKPA values for his passionate support and services in the pantomime industry.
Here is the full list of winners from the evening ceremony:
- Best Choreography: Stillie Dee – Jack and the Beanstalk, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (Crossroads Pantomimes)
- Best Comic sponsored by Santa Himself: Adam C Booth – Cinderella, Grand Opera House, Belfast (Crossroads Pantomimes)
- Best Costume Design: Jasmine Swan – Beauty and the Beast, Mercury Theatre, Colchester (In-House)
- Best Dame sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment: Brian James O’Sullivan – Maw Goose, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling (In-House)
- Best Director (sponsored by John Good Ltd): Estelle van Warmelo – Beauty and the Beast, The Courtyard, Hereford (In-House)
- Best Ensemble sponsored by Stagecoach: Mairi Barclay, Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil, Richard Leeming, Genevieve Nicole and Laura Tyrer – Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)
- Best Lighting Design sponsored by Production, Light & Sound: Sally Ferguson – Dick Whittington, Nottingham Playhouse (In-House)
- Carmen Silvera Award for Best Magical Being: Jo Osmond – Beauty and the Beast, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (Evolution Productions)
- Best Contribution to Music sponsored by Howden Insurance Brokers: Emma Fraser – Dick Whittington, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil (Evolution Productions)
- Best Early Career Newcomer sponsored by Staffordshire University: Neha Eapen – Cinderella, Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds (Paul Holman Associates)
- Best Newcomer to Pantomime sponsored by Staffordshire University: Vernon Kay – Cinderella, Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe (Imagine Theatre)
- Barbara Windsor Award for Best Principal Lead: Jasmine Triadi – Cinderella, Salisbury Playhouse (In-House)
- Best Script: Joyce Branagh – Jack and the Beanstalk, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell (In-House)
- Best Secondary Lead: Ohaana Greaves – The Further Adventures of Peter Pan, Fairfield Halls, Croydon (UK Productions)
- Best Set Design: Mark Walters, Nina Dunn and Matt Brown – Beauty and the Beast, Swansea Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)
- Best Sisters: Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji – Cinderella, Lighthouse, Poole (In-House)
- Best Sound Design: James Cook – Aladdin, Derby Arena (Little Wolf Entertainment)
- Best Supporting Artist: Anna-Jane Casey – Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)
- Best Villain sponsored by Breckman & Company: Ben Locke – Robin Hood, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)
- Best Pantomime (Under 500 seats) sponsored by Butlin’s: Robin Hood, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)
- Best Pantomime (500 – 900 seats) sponsored by Butlin’s: Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)
- Best Pantomime (Over 900 seats) sponsored by Butlin’s: Beauty and the Beast, Swansea Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)
- Special Achievement Awards: Ian McKellen, Cast, Doncaster, and Theatre Royal Stratford East
- Outstanding Achievement Award: Su Pollard
Until next year, the 2023 Pantomime Awards have come to a close. Congratulations to all the nominee’s across the country and to all the winners.
For more information, please visit the link below.
https://pantomimeassociation.co.uk/winners-announced-for-the-pantomime-awards/
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