Winners Announced of WhatsOnStage Awards 2021

Last night marked the annual WhatsOnStage Awards. As a company, WhiteLight have supported the Awards for several years, sponsoring the Best Lighting Design category which has been won by Neil Austin, Hugh Vanstone and Natasha Katz to name but a few. Naturally, this year’s awards were slightly different. Not only did they take place virtually via a live stream from the Turbine Theatre in London but the focus was not on recognising creatives but rather members of the public who have supported theatre workers and audiences during the pandemic. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Awards were presented by Jodie Prenger and Tom Read Wilson and featured appearances from Amy Hart and Oscar Conlon-Morrey. Throughout the evening, 21 ’Angels’ who have supported theatre workers and audiences were recognised, each of whom will receive a complimentary night at the theatre when live performances are able to return. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan Raven, WL’s Managing Director, comments: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for so many in this industry and, in many ways, the constant barrage of negative news makes it seem that there is very little to celebrate. That said, it is during tough times such as these that we see the very best in people and are reminded of how much kindness and support there is out there. As such, we thought it was a brilliant idea to turn the focus to such individuals at this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards and we were delighted to support the event once again.”

 

 

 

 

 

The Angels recognised included investor David Ashford, who supported new shows and 2020 graduates; Elaine and Graeme Blackmore, who launched a free community online stand-up event; and customer experience manager for Sainsbury’s Steph Channing, who reached out via Twitter to offer temporary work to theatre workers. Similarly, Denis Fuller was recognised for keeping an amateur dramatics society going through the pandemic, Kate Golledge for creating an online support group for emerging directors, Yvette McDonnald for running online self-care events, Kristie Winsen for organising monthly online musical theatre concerts, Alex Young for setting up an online group for actors to do play readings and Rita Zeta-Jones for Instagram live singalong events. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other winners included voice coach Dane Chalfin, midwife Lynn Darcy, Lucie Devine for creating an online bingo event, Amanda Dunford for supporting her family, Andrea Grey for sponsoring Leicester’s Curve, principal of Associated Studios Leontine Hass, NHS Nightingale volunteer Scarlett Maltman and West End Musical Choir founder Charlie Morrison.

 

 

 

 

 

The remaining winners were Philip Joel, Charlie Kristensen, Corrine Priest and Alun and Esther Williams.

 

 

 

 

 

The awards ceremony also saw performances from musical theatre stars representing shows that were cut short in 2020 or are due to open in the coming years, including Ivano Turco performing Only You, Lonely You from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella; for which WL is supplying the lighting equipment.

 

 

 

 

 

Bryan concludes: “Last night’s Awards ceremony simply served as a reminder as to why we work in this brilliant industry. With both the inspiring stories of the Angels, along with the live performances from the various shows, it makes you realise just how lucky we all are to be part of such a fantastic, supportive community. We are now looking forward to the months ahead when we can get audiences back into venues and we can all experience live performance once again”.

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Danny Kaan.

 

 

 

The post Winners Announced of WhatsOnStage Awards 2021 appeared first on White Light.

 

 

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Theatre