Branagh, 'AUGUST', Tyzack & 'LA CAGE' Among UK Critics' Circle Award Winners

The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2008 were hosted on January 27th, by its new Chairman Mark Shenton - theatre critic for the Sunday Express, daily blogger for The Stage website, and a regular contributor to The Guardian online - at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. For the fifth year, the awards were presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists; and supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and lastminute.com. Media Partner, What's On In Theatre / TV London.

As ever, the ceremony was an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners, and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics' personal choice of the best in theatre, from throughout the UK, during the last calendar year.

In contrast with other theatre awards during this jam-packed trophy season, the Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners are always decided by the independent votes of Drama Section members, with no panel discussions or public/industry influence exerted.

To follow is a list of the award winners and presenters:

THE CRITICS' CIRCLE THEATRE AWARDS 2008

WINNERS

Best New Play

August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
(National Theatre presentation of the Steppenwolf Company, Lyttelton Theatre, London

Presented by Georgina Brown (The Mail on Sunday) to Tracy Letts

Best Musical (new or revival)
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

(Menier Chocolate Factory, London, followed by transfer to Playhouse Theatre, London)

Presented by Sam Marlowe (The Times) to Terry Johnson, director of La Cage Aux Folles

Best Actor

Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov
(Donmar Warehouse at Wyndham's Theatre, London)

Presented by Michael Billington (The Guardian) to Kevin McNally, on behalf of Kenneth Branagh

Best Actress

Margaret Tyzack in The Chalk Garden
(Donmar Warehouse, London)

Presented by Claire Allfree (Metro London) to Margaret Tyzack

The John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance

= awarded jointly to:

Derek Jacobi in Twelfth Night

(Donmar Warehouse at Wyndham's Theatre, London)

 

Presented by Jane Edwardes (Time Out) to Derek Jacobi

&

David Tennant in Hamlet
(Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon, followed by transfer to Novello Theatre, London)

 

Presented by Dominic Cavendish (Daily Telegraph) to Penny Downie, on behalf of David Tennant

Best Director

Michael Grandage for Ivanov & The Chalk Garden
(Donmar Warehouse at Wyndham's Theatre, London, and Donmar Warehouse, London)

Presented by Charles Spencer (Daily Telegraph) to Michael Grandage

 

Best Designer

Neil Murray for Brief Encounter
(Kneehigh Theatre at Cinema Haymarket, London)

Presented by Lyn Gardner (The Guardian) to Neil Murray

Most Promising Playwright

Alexi Kaye Campbell for The Pride
(Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs London)

Presented by Matt Wolf (International Herald Tribune) to Alexi Kaye Campbell

The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer (other than a playwright)

Ella Smith in Fat Pig
(Trafalgar Studios, London followed by transfer to Comedy Theatre, London)

Presented by Ian Shuttleworth (Financial Times & Theatre Record) to Ella Smith

 

 

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