Wilma Awards 2014
Give ‘em the ol’ razzle dazzle! Yep, the razzle dazzle was out in force at the fabulous West End Wilma Awards last week! West End stars and industry angels were out in force, including us, obviously!
SO Friday the 7th November marked the first ever West End Wilma Awards, held at Freedom in Soho. Wilma, theatre’s favourite glamour nanna, bravely decided to set up her own style of awards ceremony to recognise industry excellence. Yes we have the Oliviers, yes we have the What’s On Stage Awards, we even have the West End Frame Awards…but you know what, why not add another accolade into the mix! After all, you can never get enough love in Theatreland, so props to lady Wilma for generating some more!
The Wilma Awards were a fairly star studded affair! Guests included Gina Beck (former Glinda in Wicked) Hugh Maynard (John in Miss Saigon) David Hunter (Guy in Once ) and Bonnie Langford (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) all of which were of course looking fabulous! I donned my glad rags and hopped along to mingle with the theatrical glitterati.
After being greeted by the beautiful Wima and several gin and tonics (my favourite!) as well as some afternoon tea style finger sarnies, guests were treated to an hours entertainment in the form of host, Tim McArthur, followed by a cheeky little performance from cover Phantom, Kieran Brown. Stageytastic.
The Winners
Drumroll please, the winners were:
Best West End Show – sponsored by Momentum Artists Talent Agency
Miss Saigon
Most Underrated West End Show
The 39 Steps
Best Fringe Production
Urinetown – St James Theatre
Best Touring Production – sponsored by Churchill Theatre Bromley
Avenue Q
Best Supporting Cast Member
Alexia Khadime – The Book of Mormon
Best Take Over In A Role
David Hunter – Once
Best Theatre Blog – sponsored by eStage
West End Frame (Obviously our little but fabulous Official Theatre blog section was ROBBED…but y’know #LetItGo !)
Rising Star Award – sponsored by Planet Hollywood
Cynthia Erivo
Most Welcoming Venue – sponsored by Theatre-Charter.co.uk
The Union Theatre
Lifetime Achievement In Theatre – sponsored by HotTicketOffers.com
Imelda Staunton
What Next?
After all of the gin had been drunk and all the awards distributed, myself and my fabulous friends (including super-blogger Katie Brennan!) staggered out of Freedom into the afternoon sunshine to carry on the party elsewhere! I think the Wilma’s went very smoothly and I do hope that lady W herself decides to do it all again next year! Thank you Wilma, you beauty!
Watch me and Wilma In Dual Action!
Back in July, the lovely Wilma and I did a double interview with Miss Saigon Star, Tamsin Carroll! Incidentally, Miss Saigon won the Wilma for Best West End Show, so I though I would re-share the gem of a lightning round with you! Click here to see the full interview.
