NEWS TICKER
Celebration and Triumph at the 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards
Published on
February 10, 2025
By
Julia Jordan
The 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, held at The London Palladium, saw a night filled with celebration as Starlight Express and Macbeth emerged as the biggest winners. This year's ceremony was particularly notable, as it marked a quarter-century of celebrating excellence in UK theatre, with winners decided entirely by public vote.
Starlight Express rolled away with seven awards, including Best Musical Revival, Best Professional Debut for Jeevan Braich, and Best Set Design by Tim Hatley. The musical also claimed prizes for Best Lighting Design, Best Video Design, Best Costume Design, and in a new category for this year, Best Wigs, Hair and Makeup Design.
In the play categories, Macbeth led with three wins. David Tennant’s portrayal won him Best Performer in a Play, making him the actor with the most WhatsOnStage Awards to date. The production also took home awards for Best Play Revival and Best Sound Design.
Other notable winners included Imelda Staunton for Best Performer in a Musical for her role in Hello, Dolly!, and Melanie La Barrie for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for Hadestown. Freema Agyeman was awarded Best Supporting Performer in a Play for her role in Romeo & Juliet, and Layton Williams received the Best Takeover accolade for his performance in Cabaret.
The fiercely contested Best New Musical went to Tina Fey's Mean Girls, and Spirited Away clinched the award for Best New Play. SIX was celebrated as the Best West End Show, with Emma Rice winning Best Director for The Buddha of Suburbia.
This year also saw the introduction of the Best Studio Production category, awarded to Diary of a Gay Disaster at Underbelly Cowgate and Arcola Theatre, while Something Rotten! – in Concert won Best Concert Event.
The evening was a splendid showcase of talent with a 24-piece orchestra accompanying live performances from top stage stars, underscoring the vitality and diversity of UK theatre. The event not only honoured high achievers but also celebrated the industry's resilience and creativity over the past year.
© BRITISHTHEATRE.COM 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved.
The BritishTheatre.com website was created to celebrate the rich and diverse theatrical culture of the United Kingdom. Our mission is to provide the latest UK theatre news, West End reviews, and insights into both regional theatre and London theatre tickets, ensuring enthusiasts can stay up to date with everything from the biggest West End musicals to cutting-edge fringe theatre. We are passionate about encouraging and nurturing the performing arts in all their forms.
The spirit of theatre is alive and thriving, and BritishTheatre.com is at the forefront of delivering timely, authoritative news and information to theatre lovers. Our dedicated team of theatre journalists and critics works tirelessly to cover every production and event, making it easy for you to access the latest reviews and book London theatre tickets for must-see shows.