Whatsonstage.com 2013 Awards Winners

The show opened with Paul Baker as Philip Sallon of Taboo The Musical setting the rather lewd tone for the evening. A shambolic and expletive-laden performance from presenters Rufus Hound and Mel Giedroyc didn’t, however, take the sheen off this year’s WhatsOnStage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards at the Palace Theatre on Sunday 17th February, 2013.

Over 60,000 people took part in the voting for the 2013 Awards, which recognised the stage achievements of some of the biggest names in the worlds of theatre, film and music. A good 1400 people turned out – stars in the stalls and London Olympic Gamesmakers in the gods to clap and cheer the best of theatre.

Highlight of the evening was Heather Headley and the cast of The Bodyguard winning Best New Musical and performing the rousing, closing performance. An elegant and dignified Mrs Marvin Hamlisch (Terri Blair) was there to receive Best Original Music for Sweet Smell of Success at the Arcola. Boy George was svelte and succinct to receive Best Off-West End Production. The excellent new London leads from Top Hat on Broadway sang about getting wet, ironically, on the stage of the home of Singin’ In The Rain. Act Two opened with the high-octane performance from David Bedalla and the Dreamgirls, great dancing from Newsies and Gina Beck and Louise Dearman delivered a dream duet from the musical TV series Smash (I wonder if these shows are headed for London?). A classy and pitch perfect performance from Melanie C who’s successfully taken notes from Andrew Lloyd Webber and funny new Stagey and Proud sung by national treasure Sheridan Smith.

Whatsonstage.com 2013 Awards Winners List (full list here)

Best Actor in a Play – Rupert Everett (The Judas Kiss, Hampstead)

Best Actress in a Play – Sheridan Smith (Hedda Gabler, Old Vic)

Best Solo Performance – Idina Menzel at the Apollo

Best Supporting Actress in a Play – Natalie Casey (Abigail’s Party, Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham’s)

Best Supporting Actor in a Play – Stephen Fry (Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s Globe, Apollo)

Best Actress in a Musical – Imelda Staunton (Sweeney Todd, Adelphi)

Best Actor in a Musical – Michael Ball (Sweeney Todd, Adelphi)

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical – Melanie C (Jesus Christ Superstar, O2)

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical – Tim Minchin (Jesus Christ Superstar, O2)

Best New Play – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National, Cottesloe)

Best New Comedy – The Ladykillers (Gielgud)

Best New Musical – The Bodyguard (Adelphi)

Best Play Revival – Abigail’s Party (Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham’s)

Best Musical Revival – Sweeney Todd (Adelphi)

Best Shakespearean Production – Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe, Apollo)

Best Director – Jonathan Kent (Sweeney Todd, Adelphi)

London Newcomer of the Year – Will Young (Cabaret, Savoy)

Best Regional Production – American Idiot (on tour)

Best West End Show – Les Miserables (Queen’s)

Theatre Event of the Year – Danny Boyle’s Olympics Opening Ceremony

Running Order for the Awards Show

Taboo Medley by Paul Baker, Sam Buttery & the cast of Taboo

Get Out and Stay Out (from 9-5) by Natalie Casey

I’m So Over Men (from Soho Cinders) by Suzie Chard & Beverly Rudd

Isn’t This a Lovely Day (from Top Hat The Musical) by Gavin Lee & Kristin Beth Williams

You Won’t Succeed in Showbiz (from Monty Python’s Spamalot) by Rob Delaney, Jon Robyns & the cast of Spamalot

Fake Your Way To The Top (from Dreamgirls) by David Bedella with Hannah Levane, Joanna Francis & Jennifer Saayeng

Let Me Be Your Star (from Smash) by Gina Beck and Louise Dearman

Watch What Happens (from Newsies) by Alice Fearn

Seize The Day (from Newsies) by Cast and third year Arts Ed Dancers

Stagey and Proud sung by Sheridan Smith

Heaven on their Minds (from Jesus Christ Superstar) by Tim Minchin

I Don’t Know How To Love Him (from Jesus Christ Superstar) by Melanie C

I Will Always Love You / I Wanna Dance With Somebody (from The Bodyguard) by Heather Headley and the cast.

As both Mel C and Tim Minchin said in their acceptance speeches it was a privilege to be among such talented actors, singers and dancers. The West End is alive and kicking and very loud!

Adrian Lester & Lolita Chakrabarti at the Whats On Stage Awards 2013

According to Whats On Stage, Attendees at the 2013 Awards included: Adam Garcia, Adrian Lester, Andrew Wright, Andy Nyman, Beverly Rudd, Bill Deamer, Billie Piper, Boy George, Chris Larner, Chris Moyles, Daniel Crossley, Daniel Evans, Danielle Hope, Danny Boyle, David Ian, Dean Chisnall, Debbie Kurup, Edward Hall, Emi Wokoma, Fenella Woolgar, Flavia Cacace, George Stiles, Gina Beck, Hattie Morahan, Hildegard Bechtler, Howard Brenton, Humphrey McDermott, Imelda Staunton, Jill Halfpenny, Jim Carter, Jon Robyns, Jonathan Church, Jonathan Kent, Joshua Miles, Kyle Soller, Lee Curran, Lindsay Posner, Lloyd Owen, Lolita Chakrabarti, Luke Treadaway, Maria Friedman, Mark Quartley, Matthew White, Michael Ball, Michael Bruce, Michael Taylor, Nathan M Wright, Nick Payne, Paul Anderson, Peter J Davison, Ramin Karimloo, Richard Sisson, Rupert Everett, Scott Ambler, Simon Stephens, Sophie Thompson, Suzie Chard, Tamzin Outhwaite, Tim Hatley, Tim McInnerny, Tom Scutt, Vincent Simone, Vivien Parry and Will Young.

Here’s the highlights: