The 2013 Manchester Theatre Awards

More than 20 Manchester Theatre Awards for 2013 were presented to the winners among 100 nominees, chosen by a panel of regional theatre critics.

By Manchester's Finest | 10 March 2014

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More than 20 Manchester Theatre Awards for 2013 were presented to the winners among 100 nominees, chosen by a panel of regional theatre critics. This year the prestigious awards took place at the Royal Exchange and for the first time the public were able to be among those attending.

JoeyinfrontofTheLowry

Leading the winners list was Sir Kenneth Branagh, bagging Best Actor for his acclaimed performance as Macbeth in last year’s Manchester International Festival performance staged inside an old city church. Although Branagh was unable to attend (he is currently directing a new film of Cinderella, starring Lily Cole) his sister, writer and director Joyce Branagh, attended the event to collect the award on her brother’s behalf.
Macbeth also earned Ray Fearon his second trophy in two years, for his supporting role as Macduff.

Veteran stage, film and TV actor Julian Glover won the award for Best Actor in a visiting production, for his title role in Maurice’s Jubilee at the city’s Opera House. He attended the event with his actress wife Isla Blair, who also presented a best supporting actress trophy to Shirley Darroch, from Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s production of Chicago. The same musical also scooped the whole cast an award for ensemble performance.

Best Actress award went to TV and stage star Cush Jumbo for her performance in the title role of Miss Julie at Manchester Royal Exchange. She was delighted to receive her trophy from close friend, and current big name at the venue, actress Suranne Jones. The venue’s Studio performance of Brilliant Adventures also won two awards.

War Horse, the National Theatre’s acclaimed adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s story, charged through a crowded field for Best Visiting Production to win the award on its first national tour to the Lowry in Salford. It returns there this summer.
The venue was also poignantly successful when the Robert Robson Award for Dance went to the Michael Clark Triple Bill. It was a production that had been programmed by the Lowry’s artistic director Robert Robson – a leading advocate of dance theatre – who died suddenly in the summer, before its actual performance. In his honour the judges decided this year to give his name to the trophy.

The Special Achievement Award went to Manchester Library Theatre’s artistic director Chris Honer who this year stands down from the role after more than 20 years.

Full list of winners:

Best Actor
Kenneth Branagh, Macbeth, Manchester International Festival, St Peter’s Church
 
Best Actress
Cush Jumbo, A Doll’s House, Royal Exchange

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Ray Fearon, Macbeth, Manchester International Festival, St Peter’s Church

Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Shirley Darroch, Chicago, Oldham Coliseum

Best Actor in a Visiting Production
Julian Glover, Maurice’s Jubilee, Opera House

Best Actress in a Visiting Production
Catherine Kinsella, Rutherford and Son, The Lowry
 
Best Production
Macbeth, directed by Rob Ashford, Manchester International Festival, St Peter’s Church

Best Visiting Production
War Horse, National Theatre, The Lowry
 
Best Musical
Singin’ In The Rain, Opera House

Best Opera
Otello, Opera North, The Lowry

The Robert Robson Award for Dance
Michael Clark Triple Bill, The Lowry
 
Best Design
The Old Woman, designer/director Robert Wilson; sound Marco Oilvieri; light A J Weissbard, Manchester International Festival, Palace
 
Best Newcomer
Freya Sutton, Hairspray, The Lowry
 
Best New Play
Away From Home, by Rob Ward and Martin Jameson, 24:7 Festival
 
Best Studio Production
Brilliant Adventures, Royal Exchange Studio

Best Fringe Production
The Best, Lass O’Gowrie

Best Studio Performance
Robert Lonsdale, Brilliant Adventures, Royal Exchange Studio

Best Fringe Performance
Rob Ward, Away From Home, 24:7 Theatre Festival

Best Ensemble
Chicago, Oldham Coliseum

Best Special Entertainment
Dick Whittington, Opera House

Special Achievement Award
Chris Honer, Library Theatre, Manchester

The Stage Door Foundation Award for Excellence
Lip Service

www.manchestertheatreawards.com