Theatre Awards 2012: Celebrating Excellence in Performance and Production
The landscape of live performance is defined by its diversity, ranging from avant-garde new plays to the grand spectacle of musical revivals. On 15 March 2012, the industry recognized this brilliance by announcing nominations across 23 distinct categories, highlighting the most impactful contributions to the stage.
From the innovative staging at the National Theatre to the commercial triumphs of the West End, these nominations reflect a year of exceptional creativity in acting, directing, and technical design.
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Key Facts
- Announcement Date: 15 March 2012.
- Total Categories: 23 categories of excellence.
- Major Contenders: Matilda and One Man, Two Guvnors featured prominently across multiple categories.
- Diverse Scope: Awards spanned new plays, musicals, dance, opera, and affiliate theatre.
Performance and Production Highlights
New Plays and Musicals
The competition for Best New Play featured a strong showing from the National Theatre, with Collaborators (Cottesloe) and One Man, Two Guvnors (Lyttleton) alongside Jumpy at the Royal Court and The Ladykillers at the Gielgud. In the Best New Musical category, the list was headlined by Matilda, Shrek, and London Road.
Revivals and Entertainment
The Best Revival category recognized classic works brought back to life, including Anna Christie at the Donmar Warehouse and Noises Off at the Old Vic. Musical revivals were equally competitive, with Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz among the nominees. Additionally, the Best Entertainment category highlighted specialized performances such as Derren Brown: Svengali and Potted Potter.
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Individual Acting Achievements
Leading and Supporting Roles
The acting categories showcased a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. In the Best Actor category, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller were recognized for their dual roles in Frankenstein, while James Corden was nominated for One Man, Two Guvnors. For Best Actress, Ruth Wilson (Anna Christie) and Kristin Scott Thomas (Betrayal) stood out.
Musical theatre performances were equally celebrated. Bertie Carvel earned a nomination for his role as Miss Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda, and a collective nomination was given to the four actresses—Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram, Sophia Kiely, and Eleanor Worthington Cox—who shared the role of Matilda Wormwood.
Supporting Performances
The Best Supporting Role category included Sheridan Smith for Flare Path and Johnny Flynn for Jerusalem. In musicals, nominations included Nigel Harman for Shrek and Paul Kaye for Matilda.
Technical and Creative Excellence
Direction and Choreography
Creative leadership was recognized through the Best Director and Best Theatre Choreographer categories. Matthew Warchus was nominated for his work on Matilda, while Peter Darling and Javier de Frutos were recognized for their choreography in Matilda and London Road, respectively.
Design and Technical Craft
The visual and auditory experience of theatre is driven by design. Rob Howell received multiple nominations for Best Set Design (Matilda, Ghost, and Anna Christie). Lighting and sound design were also highlighted, with Bruno Poet (Frankenstein) and Hugh Vanstone (Ghost and Matilda) among the nominees.
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Specialized Arts and Special Awards
Dance and Opera
The awards extended beyond traditional plays to include Best New Dance Production, featuring The Metamorphosis and Some Like It Hip Hop. In the opera sector, the English National Opera was recognized for its artistic diversity, and Mark-Anthony Turnage was nominated for composing Anna Nicole.
Affiliate and Audience Recognition
The Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre category highlighted productions like Roadkill and Mogadishu. Finally, the Audience Award saw popular staples like Les Misérables, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, and Wicked competing for the top spot.
| Category | Notable Nominees | Venue/Production |
|---|---|---|
| Best New Play | One Man, Two Guvnors | National Theatre Lyttleton |
| Best New Musical | Matilda | Cambridge |
| Best Actor | Benedict Cumberbatch & Jonny Lee Miller | Frankenstein (Olivier) |
| Best Actress | Ruth Wilson | Anna Christie (Donmar Warehouse) |
| Best Set Design | Rob Howell | Matilda / Ghost / Anna Christie |
| Audience Award | Les Misérables / Wicked | West End |
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the 2012 nominations announced?
The nominations were officially announced on 15 March 2012.
How many categories were included in the awards?
There were 23 categories in total, covering a wide range of theatrical disciplines.
Who was nominated for the role of Matilda Wormwood?
The role was shared by four actresses: Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram, Sophia Kiely, and Eleanor Worthington Cox.
Which production had significant nominations in set design?
Rob Howell was a prominent nominee, receiving nominations for his set design in Matilda, Ghost, and Anna Christie.
What were the nominees for the Audience Award?
The nominees for the Audience Award were Les Misérables, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, and Wicked.