WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE INAUGURAL STALLS TO STAGE AWARDS

The organisers of the Stalls to Stage Awards are proud to announce its inaugural cohort of winners,  following an industry ceremony at the Bush Theatre, London on Sunday, 26 January 2025.

Established to celebrate the best of Theatre, the Awards saw 105 nominees across 25 categories. Shows opened between 1st October 2023 and 30th September 2024 were eligible for consideration by a team of  creators, art makers and theatre fans, the shortlist of which were then voted upon by the general public,  with 4,000 votes and counting.

In the Plays and Musicals categories, ROMEO & JULIET led the Play awards with Tomiwa Edun and  Freema Agyeman awarded Best Supporting Actor/Actress in a Play respectively. Andrew Scott was recognised as Best Actor in a Play for his performance in VANYA, with Denise Gough and Heather Agyepong jointly named Best Actress in a Play for PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS and SHIFTERS.  HADESTOWN led the Musicals category with Melanie La Barrie and Dónal Finn awarded Best  Supporting Actress and Best Actor in a Musical. NEXT TO NORMAL also took home two awards with Jack Wolfe and Caissie Levy winning Best Supporting Actor and Best Actress in a Musical (the former  alongside Mitchell Zhangazha for MJ THE MUSICAL).

The Production awards were given to STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW, HADESTOWN and  HAMILTON (UK & Ireland Tour) for Best Play, Best Musical and Best Touring Production respectively.

The Performance category celebrated lesser-known roles, underrepresented artists and emerging talent.  Having just led an audience acclaimed world premiere run in WHY AM I SO SINGLE?, Jo Foster was  awarded Best Non- Binary Performer, with Grace Hodgett Young (SUNSET BOULEVARD and  HADESTOWN) and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (ROMEO & JULIET) recognised for Best Graduate and  Best Professional or West End Debut. The work of swings and takeover performances were also  highlighted in Madeline Charlegmagne and Lauren Azania’s individual performances in HADESTOWN,  earning them Best Takeover and Best Performance by a Cover/Alternate respectively.

The final batch of winners paid tribute to the unsung heroes driving change in the constantly evolving  theatrical landscape. Clint Dyer & Roy Williams, Lynette Linton and Jacob Sparrow were recognised for  their playwriting, directorial and casting achievements earning Best Writer for DEATH OF ENGLAND, Best Director for SHIFTERS and Best Casting for HADESTOWN, THE HOT WING KING and THE BIG  LIFE. Rob Madge and Amy Trigg’s advocacy efforts did not go unnoticed, as they each received the Award  for LGBTQ+ Champion and Disability Champion.

Finally, in loving memory of the community spirit exemplified by individuals and organisations within the  industry, the late Gavin Creel was honoured with the Special Recognition Award, renamed after the  actor himself for future years moving forward.

Speaking of the memorable event, Bri O’Reilly, Founder and Director of Stalls to Stage said,
When I  decided in September to do the Stalls to Stage Awards, I didn’t for a moment imagine it would get the  response that it did when I posted nominees. The joy that it created was not something I had anticipated  at all, never mind the sheer number of votes that flooded in. When I decided in October that if I’m doing it  then I should really do it and put on a whole night of celebration, all I had was unmedicated ADHD and a  healthy dose of delusion. I could not have fathomed the response from our guests last night. The warmth,  the joy, the love, it was beyond palpable, I still feel it now. Thank you isn’t enough but it’s all I have right  now. A huge congratulations to all the winners, and all the nominees, and here’s to Year two!’

The rejoiceful ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, nominees and performers from across the  performing arts industry, hosted by Marcus Collick with a roundup of presenters including Christina  Bennington, Natalie Kassanga, Rolan Bell, Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́ jọ́ , Sharon Rose, Dylan Wood, Ryan Reid,  Reda Elazouar, Jamael Westman and Jyuddah Jaymes.

SHORTLISTS & WINNERS IN FULL excluding the Creative categories