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Best of 2019 Theatre.

With another year down here I reflect on the best theatre I saw in 2019. It's been an incredible year for theatre and I've been very lucky to see some truly remarkable productions and performances. It's all for a bit of fun and my personal choice but I hope you enjoy. I'd love to know who your own picks would be if you were to do the same - let me know in the comments or tweet me.

Set Design
  • Beowulf Borritt - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Joanna Scotcher - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Basia Binkowska - Crooked Dances (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Madeleine Girling - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Rae Smith - War Horse (UK Tour)
The UK Tour company of Amelie. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Lighting Design
  • Tim Deiling - Six (Arts Theatre)
  • Zoe Spurr - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Kenneth Posner - On Your Feet (West End/UK Tour)
  • Ben Cracknell - Rock of Ages (UK Tour)
  • Elliott Griggs - Amelie (UK Tour/The Other Palace)
  • Ben Cracknell - Priscilla: Queen of The Desert (UK Tour)
  • Mark Henderson - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
The West End cast of Emilia. Photo by Helen Murray.
Costume Design
  • Gabriella Slade - Six (Arts Theatre)
  • Hannah Clark - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Joanna Scotcher - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Mark Bailey - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Charlie Cridlan - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith - Priscilla: Queen of The Desert (UK Tour)
  • Robert Jones - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare's Globe. Photo by Helen Murray.
Choreography/Movement
  • Kelly Devine - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Sergio Trujillo - On Your Feet (West End/UK Tour)
  • Andrew Wright - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House Theatre)
  • Arlene Phillips - Grease (UK Tour)
  • Tom Jackson-Greaves - Priscilla: Queen of The Desert (UK Tour)
  • Aletta Collins - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Ellen Kane - West Side Story (Curve)
The UK Tour Cast of Grease. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Direction
  • Christopher Ashley - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Justin Audibert - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Elle White - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Andrew Wright - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House Theatre)
  • Michael Fentiman - Amelie (UK Tour/The Other Palace)
  • Debbie Isitt - Nativity The Musical (UK Tour)
  • Nikolai Foster - West Side Story (Curve)
Joseph at Kilworth House Theatre. 
Orchestra/Musical Direction
  • George Francis - Amelie (UK Tour/The Other Palace)
  • Alfonso Casado - Les Miserables: The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre)
  • Dan Glover - Nativity The Musical (UK Tour)
  • Stu Barker - Pippi Longstocking (Royal and Derngate)
  • George Dyer - West Side Story (Curve)
  • Alan Berry - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
The cast of West Side Story at Curve. Photo by Ellie Kurttz.
Supporting Actress In A Play
  • Sophie Stanton (Gremia) - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Laura Elsworthy (Trania) - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Charity Wakefield (William Shakespeare) - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Sarah Seggari (Lady Cordelia/Flora) - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Caroline Quentin (Lady Fancyfull) - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Boadicea Ricketts (Anne Page/John Rugby) - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Nicole Jebeli (Tania) - My Beautiful Laundrette (UK Tour)
  • Evlyne Oyedokun (Zoe) - One Under (UK Tour)
Evlyne Oyedokun and Stanley J Browne in One Under. Photo by Patrick Baldwin.
Supporting Actor In A Play
  • James Cooney (Bianco) - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • John Hodgkinson (Heartfree) - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Jude Owusu (Frank Ford) - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Stephen Fewell (Pierre) - Venice Preserved (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • John Hodgkinson (Antonio) - Venice Preserved (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Joseph Arkley (Lucio) - Measure For Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Alan Magor (Detective Sergeant Trotter) - The Mousetrap (St Martin's Theatre)
  • Reece Pantry (Sonny) - One Under (UK Tour)
John Hodgkinson in Venice Preserved. Photo by Helen Maybanks.
Leading Actress In A Play
  • Lucy Phelps (Rosalind) - As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Claire Price (Petruchia) - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Clare Perkins (Emilia 3)  - Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • Alexandra Gilbreath (Lady Brute) - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Jodie McNee (Belvidera) - Venice Preserved (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Lucy Phelps (Isabella) - Measure For Measure (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Jodie Prenger (Helen) - A Taste of Honey (UK Tour)
  • Gemma Dobson (Jo) - A Taste of Honey (UK Tour)
Lucy Phelps as Isabella in Measure for Measure. Photo by Helen Maybanks.
Leading Actor In A Play
  • Joseph Arkley (Katherine) - The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Jonathan Slinger (Sir John Brute) - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Rufus Hound (Constant) - The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Pearce Quigley (Falstaff) - The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Rav Moore (Dini) - Bollywood Jane (Curve)
  • Shane Richie (Archie Rice) - The Entertainer (Curve)
  • Omar Malik (Omar) - My Beautiful Laundrette (UK Tour)
  • Jonny Fines (Johnny) - My Beautiful Laundrette (UK Tour)
  • Scott Miller (Albert Narracott) - War Horse (UK Tour)
Chloe Wilson and Rav Moore in Bollywood Jane. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Understudy/Alternative Performance In A Play
  • Laura Elsworthy (Rosalind) - As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Aaron Thiara (Orlando) - As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Amelia Donkor (Celia) - As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Rosalind Steele (Aquilina) - Venice Preserved (Royal Shakespeare Company)
Aaron Thiara as Orlando in As You Like It. Photo from Instagram.
Male Understudy/Alternative Performance In A Musical
  • Stuart Hickey (Bill Austin) - Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre)
  • Jake Sharp (Dewey Finn) - School of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre)
  • Christopher McGuigan (Joe) - Waitress (Adelphi Theatre)
  • Alexander McMorran (Claude and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Marcus Harman (Evan Hansen) - Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre)
  • Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
Jake Sharp as Dewey Finn in School of Rock. Photo by Twitter User @AspiringSeymour
Female Understudy/Alternative Performance In A Musical
  • Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Zahara) - Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre)
  • Courtney Stapleton (Catherine Parr) - Six (Arts Theatre)
  • Tania Mathurin (Hannah and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Jennifer Tierney (Bonnie and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Charlotte Riby (Becky) - Waitress (Adelphi Theatre)
  • Lisa-Anne Wood (Glinda) - Wicked (Apollo Victoria)
  • Emma Jane Morton (Suzanne) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Vicki Manser (Anna of Cleves) - Six The Musical (Arts Theatre)
  • Serina Mathews (Carmen) - Fame (UK Tour)
Lisa-Anne Wood as Glinda in Wicked. Photo by Matt Crockett
Supporting Actress In A Musical
  • Kate Robson-Stuart (Suzanne) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Faoileann Cunningham (Georgette/Sylvie) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) - Les Miserables: The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre)
  • Ashleigh Gray (Jennifer Lore) - Nativity The Musical (UK Tour)
  • Charlotte Wakefield (Miss Windsor/Mum) - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Tabitha Knowles (Lisa James) - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Carly Mercedes Dyer (Anita) - West Side Story (Curve)
  • Hanora Kamen (Ebba/Mr Nilsson/PC Nyeberg) - Pippi Longstocking (Royal and Derngate)
Tabitha Knowles and Toby Mocrei in The Boy in the Dress. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Supporting Actor In A Musical
  • Lucas Rush (Lonnie) - Rock of Ages (UK Tour)
  • Hywel Dowswell (Simeon/Baker) - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House Theatre)
  • Jez Unwin (Raphael/Bretodeau) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Matt Lucas (Thenardier) - Les Miserables: The Staged Concert (Gielgud Theatre)
  • Jamie Chapman (Patrick Burns and others)  - Nativity The Musical (UK Tour)
  • Rufus Hound (Dad) - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Forbes Masson (Mr Hawtrey) - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Jack Loxton (Jared Kleinman)  - Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre)
  • Isaac Gryn (Action) - West Side Story (Curve)
Lucas Rush in Rock of Ages. Photo by The Other Richard.
Leading Actress In A Musical
  • Rachel Tucker (Beverley/Annette and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Emma Salvo (Janice and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • The Queens of Six The Musical: Jarniea Richard-Noel (Catherine of Aragon), Millie O'Connell (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard) and Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr) -  Six (Arts Theatre)
  • Cecily Redman (Kate Monster/Lucy The Slut) - Avenue Q (UK Tour)
  • Christie Prades (Gloria Estefan) - On Your Feet (West End/UK Tour)
  • Lucie Jones (Jenna) - Waitress (Adelphi Theatre)
  • Audrey Brisson (Amelie) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Tori Allen-Martin (Robin) - The Season (Royal and Derngate/New Wolsey Theatre)
  • Adriana Ivelisse (Maria) - West Side Story (Curve)
  • Emily-Mae (Pippi Longstocking) - Pippi Longstocking (Royal and Derngate)
Audrey Brisson as Amelie. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Leading Actor In A Musical
  • Jonathan Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others) - Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Jake Sharp (u/s Dewey Finn) - School of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre)
  • Danny Mac (Nino) - Amelie (UK Tour)
  • Christopher Weeks (Buddy Holly) - Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (UK Tour)
  • Scott Paige (Mr Poppy) - Nativity The Musical (UK Tour)
  • John Partridge (Emcee) - Cabaret (UK Tour)
  • Toby Mocrei (Dennis) - The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Company)
  • Alex Cardall (Dougal) - The Season (Royal and Derngate/New Wolsey Theatre)
  • Marcus Harman (Evan Hansen) - Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre)
  • Jamie Muscato (Tony) - West Side Story (Curve)
  • Chris Jared (Nino) - Amelie (The Other Palace)
Alex Cardall and Tori Allen-Martin in The Season. Photo by Pamela Raith. 
Best Plays
  • The Taming of the Shrew (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
  • Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
  • War Horse (UK Tour)
  • Crooked Dances (The Other Place Studio)
  • The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare's Globe)
  • Measure For Measure (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
  • My Beautiful Laundrette (UK Tour)
  • One Under (UK Tour)
War Horse. Photo by Brinkhoff and Mogenburg
Best Musicals
  • Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre)
  • Amelie (UK Tour)
  • The Boy In The Dress (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
  • The Season (Royal and Derngate/New Wolsey Theatre)
  • West Side Story (Curve)
  • Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre)
  • Six (Arts Theatre)
  • Pippi Longstocking (Royal and Derngate)
The Original London Cast of Come From Away.

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