Following an exciting year of innovative performances and captivating productions, The Stage Debut Awards 2022 in association with Ambassador Theatre Group spotlighted emergent talent in the theatre industry on Sunday 18 September. The awards were hosted by BAFTA award-winning actor Susan Wokoma at 8 Northumberland Avenue.
Academy award-winning Jodie Comer, of Killing Eve and Doctor Foster, took home the Best West End Debut Performer award for her role in Prima Facie. Elijah Ferreira won the Best Performer in a Musical award for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, whilst Tyrell Williams won the Best Writer award for Red Pitch.
Making history, the entire ensemble of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy won the award for Best Performer in a Play. They share their success as joint winners, alongside Elisabeth Gunawan for Unforgettable Girl.
Monique Touko took home the award for Best Director with Malindadzimu, whilst Best Designer was given to TK Hay for the set and costume of An Adventure. John Patrick Elliott won the Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer with Cruise, as choreographer Julia Cheng takes home the Best Creative West End Debut award with theatrical legend Cabaret.
Following the high-intensity event, editor of The Stage Alistair Smith reflected on the 2022 award nominees and winners: “Looking at this extraordinary array of emerging artists—and a couple of more established names—we can all be confident that the future of theatre in the UK is in incredibly exciting hands. I cannot wait to see what all these supremely talented theatre makers do next.”
Words by Alanya Smith
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Image Credit: (c) Alex Brenner