LEGALLY BLONDE's Sheridan Smith To Present What's On Stage Awards

Whatsonstage.com has announced Legally Blonde star SheriDan Smith as the host of its 10th annual Whatsonstage.com Awards, the only prize-giving event for the theatre industry voted for purely by the ticket-buying public.

The awards concert will take place at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 14th February and will include performances from nominees Jodie Prenger (Oliver!), Hannah Waddingham (A Little Night Music) and Charlotte Wakefield (Spring Awakening). In celebration of the Awards' milestone birthday, past winners Ryan Molloy, LeAnne Jones and Sally Ann Triplett will also perform.

Nominees expected to join Sheridan at the awards concert and hoping to be presented with one of the coveted Whatsontage.com award trophies, include Sir Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Mark Rylance, Jez Butterworth, Jane Horrocks, Alistair McGowan, Lesley Garrett, Lesley Sharp, Mackenzie Crook, Miriam Margolyes, Rupert Goold and many more.

The evening will also include a preview of the new West End production of Off-Broadway phenomenon The Fantasticks (opening at the Duchess Theatre in June) and another transatlantic sneak peek at some of the shows that made waves in last year's Broadway season.

Since 4 December Theatregoers have been voting for their favourites across 26 different award categories. More than 36,000 people have voted so far, the highest number since the launch of the awards.

Voting closes on the 31st January with many categories still remaining far too close to call. Amongst the tightest races are: Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Play, Best Director, Best Ensemble Performance, Best Off-West End Production and Best Regional Production.