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2024 WhatsOnStage Winners.

 

It was a big night for A Little Life, with the four-hour adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara’s multimillion bestseller picking up acting prizes for its stars James Norton and Luke Thompson. The play which follows four friends as they navigate life in New York City, was praised for its unflinching depiction of rape and self-harm, and saw the production extended twice, ending its run at The Savoy Theatre after transferring from the Harold Pinter Theatre due to phenomenal ticket demand. Another show which saw record-breaking standing ovations at the Savoy Theatre, Sunset Boulevard, needed a wide shot, not a close up, to get all its awards in the frame.

Jamie Llyod’s minimalist production of the classic musical took centre stage at last night ceremony, scooping up an impressive seven wins, including Best Perfomer in a Musical for former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger’s performance as Norma Desmond saw her receive multiple standing ovations throughout the show in addition to the curtain call, and earned her the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical Performance late last year.

Llyod, who has recently announced his latest project with Tom Holland, picked up the Best Direction award for his ‘radical rework’ of the 1950s film. The bold reimagining closed in the will be making its Broadway transfer later this year after it’s sold out run in the West End.

In addition to Best Direction and Best Performer in a musical, the show also swept the board in the technical categories, winning seven of the nine prizes it was nominated for, but was beaten in the best musical revival category by Bridge Theatre’s immersive take on Guys & Dolls.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, took a well-earned break from fighting other-worldly creatures to take home the award for Best New Play, with Vanya, a one-man adaptation of Chekhov’s classic starring Andrew Scott, was named Best Play Revival.

Sex Education and Living star, Aimee Lou Wood won the Best Takeover Performance title for her role as Sally Bowles in the multi award-winning phenomenon, Cabaret. Huge stars have taken on this role since the production opened at the Playhouse back in 2021, with Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor) currently in the bowler hat before passing it on to Cara Delevingne on the 11th March.

Jack Wolfe, who will be reprising his role in Next To Normal when the critically acclaimed musical makes its West End transfer in June this year, picked up the award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical.

The winners of the WhatsOnStage awards were chosen by theatregoers in a public vote, which has run annually since 2008. The full list of winners can be found below:

Best West End Show– Cabaret
Best New Musical- Operation Mincemeat
Best Musical Revival- Guys & Dolls
Best New Play- Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Best Play Revival– Vanya
Best Performer in a Musical- Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Boulevard
Best Performer in a Play- James Norton, A Little Life
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical- Jack Wolfe, Next to Normal
Best Supporting Performer in a Play- Luke Thompson, A Little Life
Best Direction- Jamie Lloyd, Sunset Boulevard
Best Professional Debut Performance- Grace Hodgett Young, Sunset Boulevard
Best Takeover Performance- Aimee Lou Wood, Cabaret
Best off-West End Production- Love Never Dies in Concert
Best Regional Production- The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre
Best Musical Direction/Supervision- Alan Williams, Sunset Boulevard
Best Choreography- Matt Cole, Disney’s Newsies
Best Costume Design- Ryan Dawson Laight, La Cage aux Folles
Best Lighting Design- Jack Knowles, Sunset Boulevard
Best Set Design- Bunny Christie, Guys & Dolls
Best Sound Design- Adam Fisher, Sunset Boulevard
Best Video Design- Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, Sunset Boulevard
Best Graphic Design- Muse Creative, Guys & Dolls
Best Casting Direction- Jill Green, The Little Big Things

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Wicked releases first movie trailer.

The Wicked movies have released their first trailer.

Wicked, led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and based on the beloved Broadway and West End musical of the same name, has been split into two film releases (the first set for November 2024). It is based on the hit novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Wicked tells the story of two unlikely university friends in the land of Oz, one destined to become Glinda The Good and the other, the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked writers Winnie Holzman (book) and Stephen Schwartz (score) are collaborating on the screenplay.

2023 will also marked the 20th anniversary of the original Broadway production, while the show is currently in its 18th year in the West End, where it has been seen by 11 million people. A UK tour also launched in late 2023, so it’ll probably be quicker to see it on stage than in cinemas.

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Torvill and Dean announce final dance on Olympic gold anniversary.

Figure skaters Torvill and Dean have announced on the 40th anniversary of their gold medal-winning performance that next year will be the last time they dance together.
The duo have returned to Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where they danced the Bolero in the 1984 Winter Olympics.
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will skate together for the final time as part of a UK tour in 2025.
Torvill told the Media: “The tour is the celebration of our careers.”

The Nottingham duo’s 28-day farewell tour, called Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance, will include two dates in their home city.
Dean, 65, said: “We felt it’s right because 2025 is our 50th year of skating together.
“Even when I say it, it’s a long time. I think it’s the right time for us to do our last celebration tour around the country, but in particular in Nottingham as well.
“There will be a lot of nostalgia… we’re really excited about it.”
Torvill, 66, said: “We just hope people come and celebrate with us because the tour is a celebration of our careers and the last dance.”
Her dance partner added: “I’m sure when it is the last dance, there will definitely be a lump in our throat.
“Every day it’s a pleasure to be able to skate together. She’s my best friend.”

The Valentine’s Day Bolero performance in 1984 made the pair the highest-scoring figure skaters of all time for a single programme.
Judges gave them a dozen perfect 6.0s and six 5.9s, which included artistic impression scores of 6.0 from every judge.

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Nicole Scherzinger reveals shock at being asked to play ‘older’ Norma Desmond.

Nicole Scherzinger has addressed the perceived age gap between herself and the character of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, revealing she initially told director Jamie Lloyd she was too young.

The actor was speaking to The Stage as she collected the prize for best performer in a musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards, held at the London Palladium on February 11.

Scherzinger admitted she thought the perception of the character was of a much older woman.

She said: “When Jamie asked me to play [the part of Norma], I was like: ‘Excuse me?’ We’re so used to thinking of the role of Norma as a much older woman, and I was like: ‘Honey, I’m still in my prime, I still look good under bright lights, I’m a Pussycat, okay? Always and forever. I’m not Norma’s age.’ But he said: ‘Just read the story.’”

She added: “And once I read it, I really connected with Norma. When I listened to the music, I really, really fell in love with her. It was such a beautiful collaborative journey with Jamie, because he just honestly let me be me and helped me to be brave enough to really show all the sides of me in this role. Originally, there was the perception that Norma was a much older role, but then I read it and then I was like: ‘No, I’m in love with this.’”

The former Pussycat Doll member reflected on her return to the West End after almost a decade since appearing in Cats, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to immerse herself in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music once again, which she described “as the soundtrack to my life”.

She added: “The last time I was in this room [London Palladium’s Val Parnell suite], I was doing warm ups for Cats,” she said. “This role is obviously a lot different to my role as Grizabella because it’s a radical reimagining of the musical and because it’s Jamie Lloyd – he allowed me to breathe my own authentic life into the role. And what an iconic role, what a heavyweight role that it is. I was able to go to some pretty crazy places.”

Of her WhatsOnStage award win, she said that it was “nice to know that the blood, sweat, tears and hard work is really received and we’re really doing our jobs”.

She also shared her advice for Spider-Man star Tom Holland, who will be playing Romeo in Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet later this year.

“The only thing I’d say is that he needs to be open. And Jamie will say that from day one – to just stay open. He knows what to do with actors. He really lets you breathe your own authentic life into his characters – for me, this was such an iconic, heavyweight role, and I have been able to go to some pretty crazy places to play it,” she said, adding: “But Tom Holland’s Tom Holland. He’s going to have a grand old time working and creating for Jamie.”

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Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor dies aged 44.

Robin Windsor, a former professional on Strictly Come Dancing, has died aged 44.
He appeared on the BBC One show from 2010 until 2013, partnering with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden.
Production company Sisco Entertainment announced Windsor’s death on Tuesday, adding he would be “deeply missed”.
Windsor had most recently been starring in Come What May, a Moulin Rouge tribute show.

In a statement announcing Windsor’s death, Sisco Entertainment told BBC News: “His extraordinary ability to express emotion through movement captivated audiences, leaving them spellbound with every step.

Ballroom dance company Burn The Floor said it had “lost one of its founding members”.
“He danced with us for 20 years, including Broadway, the West End and all our crazy adventures around the world,” they said in a statement on social media. “He leaves a void in our hearts.”

Windsor was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, Windsor first began dancing at the age of three when his parents enrolled him in classes in Ipswich, according to his website.
He moved to London aged 15 to pursue a dancing career and went on to represent England in numerous championships, both on the domestic and international levels.
In addition to Strictly, Windsor appeared on Dancing with the Stars Australia and So You Think You Can Dance in Holland.
Robin was forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 after suffering ongoing back problems caused by a slipped disc.

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General News & Sighting

• Birmingham City Council will make cuts to all funding for culture projects and local-arts development, with Birmingham Rep and the Birmingham Royal Ballet facing a 100% reduction to their support in the next financial year. (The Stage)
• Robin Windsor, the Strictly and Burn The Floor star, passed away aged 44.
• Amy Dowden announced that she was free of cancer.
• Equity is starting a Choreographers and Movement Directors Network. The first meeting is on the 4th of March at the Rambert in London.
• Anton Du Beke announced that his “Showman” tour will open in Dartford on the 3rd of March.
• The 24th annual Whats On Stage Awards took place at the London Palladium. Matt Cole won the award for Best Choreography for his work on “Newsies”.
• The Place in London announced its programme for the Summer 2024 season, with highlights including the London premiere of Igor X Moreno’s latest work.
• Flackstock will take place on the 22nd of July at Englefield House in Berkshire.
• The Royal Academy of Dance announced that Alexander Campbell of the Royal Ballet will be its new Artistic Director.
• Northern Ballet announced its programme through to Spring 2025. Highlights include a new Triple Bill, “Romeo & Juliet” and Cathy Marston’s “Jane Eyre”.
• The Chichester Festival announced its 2024 season, including a production of “Oliver” – under the direction and with the choreography of Sir Matt Bourne.
• New casting has been announced for “Cabaret” in the West End. Cara Delevingne will join the production as Sally Bowles on the 11th of March. The choreography is by Julia Cheng.
• The initial cast has been revealed for the new West End musical “Why Am I So Single”. It will star Jo Foster and Leesa Tulley. The choreography is by Ellen Kane and Michael Naylor.

Future Dance Events News

• “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” is set to return for a new tour starring Donny Osmond. It will open at the Edinburgh Playhouse on the 3rd of December. The choreography is by JoAnn M Hunter.
• “Heathers” will return for a new UK tour opening in Windsor on the 24th of July. The choreographers will be Gary Lloyd and Christopher Parkinson.
• A new musical featuring the work of Steps will open at the Alexandra theatre in Birmingham from the 9th until the 24th of November. The choreography is by Matt Cole.
• A stage musical based on Prince’s film and album “Purple Rain” is in the works with producer Orin Wolf.
• “Kiss Me, Kate” will run at the Barbican theatre in London from the 4th of June until the 14th of September. It will star Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J Block and be choreographed by Anthony Van Laast.
• Luba and Vito from Strictly headline a Charity Dance Show at Dudley Town Hall on the 9th of April at 7.30 pm. You can get tickets at: mpvtickets.com
• The European premiere of “Your Lie in April” will take place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 8th & 9th of April 2024. It will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. The casting director is Harry Blumenau.
• Nick Winston will be directing the world premiere of the new musical “Wild About You” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 25th & 26th of March 2024. It will star Eric McCormack.
• “The Wizard of Oz” has confirmed the full cast for its tour of the UK and Ireland. The choreography is by Shay Barclay. The show will open in Liverpool on the 13th of December 2024.
• Nick Winston and Ryan Lee Seager will be directing and choreographing the world premiere of “Burlesque The Musical” – which has Christina Aguilera as an Executive Director. The show will open at the Manchester Opera House on the 13th of June 2024.
• “Mean Girls” is coming to the Savoy Theatre in June 2024.
• A touring musical version of “101 Dalmations” will open in Wimbledon on the 22nd of June 2024.
• “& Juliet” will embark on a UK tour from the 8th of July 2024. The choreographer is Jennifer Weber.
• “The Devil Wears Prada” has confirmed its West End run and UK premiere. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell and be cast by Jill Green. The show will open in Plymouth on the 9th of July 2024.
• “Starlight Express” is to return to London in the Summer of 2024. It will be choreographed by Ashley Nottingham.
• “Some Like It Hot” is coming to the West End in 2025. It will be directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.
• Full casting has been revealed for the first UK and Ireland tour of “Aladdin”. Gavin Adams will star with Desmonda Cathabel as Jasmine. Sarah Benbelaid is the Assistant Dance Captain. The show will open in Edinburgh in October.
• The 2024 Mighty Hoopla Big Weekender has announced its line up led by: Natalie Imbruglia, Cascada and Gabrielle.
• “Shucked” will open in the West End in 2024. The choreographer is Sarah O’Gleby.
• “Come From Away” announced a UK and Ireland tour beginning in Leicester on the 1st of March 2024. The production is being cast by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher. The choreography is by Tara Wilkinson and Kirsty Malpas with Richard Hinds. The Dance Captain is Angeline Bell.
• The new musical “Starter for Ten” will premiere in Bristol next year at the Old Vic theatre from the 29th of February until the 30th of March 2024.
• “Sister Act – The Musical” will return to the Dominion theatre in the West End on the 15th of March 2024. It will star Beverley Knight and Alexandra Burke. The choreography is by Alistair David.
• The lead cast has been unveiled for “We Will Rock You” opening in the West End. It will star Lee Mead and Brenda Edwards.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” will tour the UK in 2023/4 opening in Manchester this September. The choreography is by Drew McOnie.

Auditions & Vacancies

• Candoco Dance Company has auditions on the 18th & 19th of April. The deadline to apply is the 4th of March. Contact: jobs@candoco.co.uk
• 2Faced Dance Company is looking for male dancers. The audition is in Hereford on the 9th of March, with a deadline for applications of the 1st of March. For more information contact: sam@2faceddance.co.uk
• ZooNation is looking for dancers for the period of October until December. Visit the website for details.
• Emma Martin / United Fall is auditioning for dancers for the new show “Soft God” in Dublin on the 5th of April. The deadline to apply is the 8th of March. For more information visit: United Fall
• The Artistic Talent Agency is looking for strong commercial dancers who trick for a job on live TV on the 29th of February. Contact: info@artistictalentagency.com
• Lio in London is holding auditions for dancers on the 27th of February. Email: casting@liolondon.co.uk
• Laura Vanhulle is looking for 2 understudies for her new tour of “Olive Branch”. The audition is at the Place in London on the 16th of March from 11.00 am – 5.30 pm. The deadline to apply is the 1st of March. You can get more details at: hello@vanhulledancetheatre.co.uk
• Locked Creative is looking for a male gymnast / dancer for a feature movie filming in London. For more information, go to: info@lockedcreative.com
• Auditions for the Thursford Christmas Spectacular 2024 will be held at Pineapple Studios in London on the 17th & 18th of June.
• Rouge in Las Vegas is looking for dancers. Contact: sheer@shows-pro.com

Dance Classes

• The annual TGS Summer Intensive takes place this year on the 22nd – 26th of July from 10.00 am – 3.00 pm daily. The dance teachers are: Jacob McIntosh, Leighton Jay Halliday, Charlie Bruce & Jordi Guitart. Email: jordi1962@gmail.com to book your place.
• Gaz Davis has an Advanced Jazz class at Move It on the 15th of March at 10.30 – 11.15 am.
• Josie Lee offers Advanced Level Choreography from 11.00 am – 4.00 pm on the 5th of April at the Base Dance Studios.
• Nafisah Baba is teaching a Contemporary class at Pineapple studios on Mondays from 8.15 – 9.45 pm.
• Lowri Evans is doing a Commercial Latin workshop on the 9th of March at the Creazione Dance Company.
• Charlotte Pook is offering a 3 day class in Cardiff from the 2nd until the 4th of April from 10.00 am – 2.00 pm at the Dance House studio.
• Keith and Judy Clifton have a new beginners class on Thursdays at the Grimsby Town Hall from 7.30 – 8.30 pm. Contact: keith.clifton@icloud.com
• Andrei and Mia Linnik-Holden have a Ballroom Workshop on the 17th of March at the CC Dance Studio in Harwich.
• Ryan Jenkins has partnered up with Mandy Allen to produce the iD – Company Summer School from the 12th until the 16th of August. For more information contact: info@the-idcompany.com
• Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp have a dance masterclass on the 6th of April with beginnerscall.uk
• Lizzie McConachie has a commercial class on Mondays at Pineapple Studios from 7.30 – 8.30 pm.
• Aimee Casey has an Adult Ballet class at Flame Studios in Cardiff on Fridays from 6.30 – 7.30 pm.
• Lowri Beth Evans is teaching a Beginners Heels course at the Glow Up Studios in Cardiff for 4 weeks starting on the 9th of January from 7.00 – 8.00 pm.
• Lucy Jane Adcock has 2 weekly classes at the Base dance studios in London on Sundays at 11.30 am and on Wednesdays at 10.00 am.
• Christina Andrea has a Commercial Edge class at Base Studios on Thursdays from 2.30 – 4.00 pm.
• Beth Ackroyd is doing an Adult Ballet class at the Fresh Ground in Battersea on Thursdays from 11.00 am – 12.00 pm. You can contact Beth on: beth.lauren@live.com
• Daniela Fabbricatore is teaching an Advanced Lyrical class at Move It on the 17th of March at 2.15 pm.
• Jordi Guitart will be teaching at Move It on the 16th of March at 3.30 pm.
• Weronika Wiktoria is starting a Street Jazz class every Monday at 5.30 pm at the Base dance studios with Ralitsa Chepisheva.
• Lil J is offering a sassy Commercial class at the Pineapple Dance Studios on Tuesdays at 4.15 pm. You can book on the Pineapple app.
• Amy Ireland is offering a Beginners Tap class at Pineapple Dance Studios on Fridays at 10.15 am and a Commercial Tap class on Mondays at 8.30 pm.
• Dominique Marinho is teaching a Beginners Heels class on Tuesdays at Pineapple Studios from 3.45 – 4.45 pm.

Film & TV

• “Barbie” won Movie of the Year at the 2024 Peoples Choice Awards.
• “Les Miserables” (2012) will be released in cinemas on the 14th of February.
• We spotted Sophie Carmen Jones in the new movie “One Day”.
• We spotted India Hope and Sabrina Wong in the latest Burna Boy X G Star advertising campaign.
• We spotted Alexandre Novelli, Zhane Samuels & Summer Villiers performing with Zara Larsson on the “Venus” tour.
• We spotted the following dancers performing at the BAFTA Awards: Jo Dyce, Majella Fitzgerald, Erin Dusek, James Mulford, Billy Roy Sawyer, Rachel Muldoon, Mark Samaras, Conor Tidman & Sophia Turner. The choreography was by Paul Roberts.
• We spotted Anders Neilsen in the new G Star Raw advert.
• We spotted Anjula Kelley & Rebbi Rose in the new J-Lo programme “This Is Me” on Amazon Prime.
• We spotted Nikola Posnik dancing with Usher at the Superbowl Halftime show.

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