New York City theater won big across the pond at the Old Vic Theatre, which was home to the 61st annual London Evening Standard Theater Awards on Nov. 22. New York transfers “The Motherf**ker with the Hat” from Stephen Adly Guirgis, about a former drug-dealing jailbird trying to go straight, was awarded best play, and “Kinky Boots” won the Radio 2 Audience Award for best musical.
Imelda Staunton, who performed “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” at the ceremony, won for her musical performance as Mama Rose in “Gypsy,” beating out Katie Brayben for Broadway’s transfer of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Killian Donnelly for “Kinky Boots,” and Rosalie Craig for “City of Angels.”
Also recognized were Nicole Kidman and James McAvoy in the best actress and best actor categories for their work in “Photograph 51” and “The Ruling Class,” respectively.
Vanessa Redgrave was presented with the Editor’s Award and Stephen Sondheim with the Lebedev Award.
See below for the full list of winners and nominees.
THE 61ST ANNUAL LONDON EVENING STANDARD THEATER AWARDS
**WINNERS
BEST ACTOR
Simon Russell Beale, “Temple,” Donmar Warehouse
Kenneth Cranham, “The Father,” Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theater
Ralph Fiennes, “Man and Superman,” National Theater’s Lyttelton
**James McAvoy, “The Ruling Class,” Trafalgar Studios
NATASHA RICHARDSON AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS
Denise Gough, “People, Places and Things,” National Theater’s Dorfman
**Nicole Kidman, “Photograph 51,” Noel Coward Theater
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, “Nell Gwynn,” Shakespeare’s Globe
Lia Williams, “Oresteia,” Almeida Theater & Trafalgar Studios
BEST PLAY
**”The Motherf**ker with the Hat” (Stephen Adly Guirgis), National Theater’s Lyttelton
“Hangmen” (Martin McDonagh) Royal Court
“The Father” (Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton) Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theater
MILTON SHULMAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
**Robert Icke, “Oresteia,” Almeida Theater & Trafalgar Studios
Jamie Lloyd, “Assassins,” Menier Chocolate Factory
Indhu Rubasingham, “The Motherf**ker with the Hat,” National Theater’s Lyttelton
BEST DESIGN
**Anna Fleischle, “Hangmen,” Royal Court
Tim Hatley, “Temple,” Donmar Warehouse
Robert Jones, “City of Angels,” Donmar Warehouse
CHARLES WINTOUR AWARD FOR MOST PROMISING PLAYWRIGHT
**Molly Davies, “God Bless the Child,” Royal Court Upstairs
Alistair McDowall, “Pomona,” Orange Tree Theater & National Theater’s Temporary Space
Diana Nneka Atuona, “Liberian Girl,” Royal Court Upstairs (Peckham & Tottenham pop up venues)
EMERGING TALENT AWARD IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BURBERRY
Calvin Demba, “The Red Lion,” National Theater’s Dorfman
Patsy Ferran, “Treasure Island,” National Theater’s Olivier
**David Moorst, “Violence and Son,” Royal Court Upstairs
BEST MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Katie Brayben, “Beautiful,” Aldwych Theater
Rosalie Craig, “City of Angels,” Donmar Warehouse
Killian Donnelly, “Kinky Boots,” Adelphi Theater
**Imelda Staunton, “Gypsy,” Savoy Theater
NEWCOMER IN A MUSICAL
**Gemma Arterton, “Made in Dagenham,” Adelphi Theater
Ellie Bamber, “High Society,” Old VicNatalie Dew,
“Bend It Like Beckham,” Phoenix Theater
EVENING STANDARD RADIO 2 AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST MUSICAL (VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC)
“Assassins,” Menier Chocolate Factory
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Aldwych Theater
“Bend It Like Beckham,” Phoenix Theater
“Gypsy,” Savoy Theater
**“Kinky Boots,” Adelphi Theater
Beyond Theater – “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” the exhibition at the V&A
Editor’s Award – Vanessa Redgrave
Lebedev Award – Stephen Sondheim
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