Interval Awards – The first half of 2011

In her recent blog post Lorannah proposed an idea for the Inaugural Interval Awards.

The idea is inspired. Come December we all frantically try to recall the multitude of productions seen over the previous twelve months and come up with our definitive ‘best of’ lists.

There’s a problem though – as Lorannah says

“By the time I get to December, I’m struggling to remember what happened in January, I’ve forgotten the sets that blew me away, the ensembles that astounded and the plays that left me weeping (for I am fickle and have a poor memory).”

Lorannah has proposed a solution for us absent minded bloggers, critics and theatre goers…

“…at this mid-way point it would be nice to have a mini-awards ceremony, to take note of what we’ve seen and loved and to leave a reminder for those important December decisions. And I thought it would be amazing if other people wanted to get involved to.”

Several twitter theatre goers have signed up for the idea and are busy consulting their programmes to construct their nominations.. and I’ll add them here as they come online

• Weez
• 3rd Spearcarrier

Opinions will surely differ, people will have seen different productions and what someone loved, others may hate. What the combined lists will do however is celebrate the sheer variety of theatre in the country and hopefully provoke some discussion.

So here goes, for what it’s worth here are my votes for the first six months of 2011.

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Best Musical Production
Winner:
The Kissing Dance – Jermyn St Theatre. Howard Goodall’s chamber musical performed with wit and panache on this tiny stage.

Runners Up and honourable mentions

• Umbrellas of Cherbourg – Gielgud Theatre
• Company – Southwark Playhouse
• The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee – Donmar Warehouse

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Best Drama Production Winner:

Doctor Faustus – Shakespeare’s Globe. Marlow’s play may have its faults but this production thrills.

Runners Up

• Lidless – Trafalgar Studios.
• Great Expectations – Watford Palace/ English Touring Theatre
• Fallen In Love – Red Rose Chain

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Best Comedy Production Winner:

One Man, Two Guvnors – National Theatre. Farce and skiffle prove to be an inspired combination in Nick Hytner’s manic production.

Runners Up

• April In Paris – Hull Truck.
• Vernon God Little – Young Vic
• One Man Star Wars Trilogy – Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

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Best Fringe Production Winner:

You’re Not Like Other Girls Chrissy – Pulse Fringe Festival. One woman show looking at lost love in wartime Paris

Runners Up

• Incoming – HighTide Festival
• Cabaret Whore – Pulse Fringe Festival
• Dusk Rings A Bell – HighTide Festival

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Best Shakespeare Production Winner:

Comedy of Errors – Propeller. Ingenious and accessible version that mixes comedy and music to stunning effect.

Runners Up

• King Lear – Donmar Warehouse
• Much Ado About Nothing – Wyndhams
• Cardenio – RSC Swan

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Best Male Performance
Winner:
Joseph Drake – Vernon God Little. An impressive stage debut that holds the production together.

Runners Up

• Arthur Darvill – Doctor Faustus.
• Derek Jacobi – King Lear
• Jack Shalloo – The Kissing Dance

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Best Female Performance
Winner:
Nichola McAuliffe – The Lady In The Van. A performance of intricate detail that arguably surpasses Maggie Smith’s original.

Runners Up

• Sheridan Smith – Flare Path
• Sarah Lancashire – Betty Blue Eyes
• Penny Layden – Lidless

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Best Direction
Winner:
Danny Boyle – Frankenstein. Ok the script may have had faults but Danny Boyle’s return to theatre proves to be theatrical highlight of the year.

Runners Up

• Greg Doran – Cardenio
• Rufus Norris – London Road
• Matthew Dunster – Doctor Faustus

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Best Stage Design
Winner
Lez Brotherton – Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Every theatrical device in the book utilised in a spectacular production

Runners Up

• Niki Turner – Cardenio
• Lizzie Clachan – Wastwater
• Colin Richmond – Great Expectations

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Best Lighting Design
Winner:
Bruno Poet – Frankenstein. An almost sculptural lighting plot that added real atmosphere.

Runners Up

• Tim Mitchell – Cardenio
• Neil Austin – The Cherry Orchard
• Mark Henderson – Emperor and Galilean

******************************************************************Best Theatre

Winner:
The Young Vic. Inventive programming, accessible pricing, great atmosphere and great staff.

Runners Up

• The National Theatre
• The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Shakespeare’s Globe

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Best Front of House
Winner:
The Young Vic. Really helpful box office staff – always cheerful and willing to help.

Runners Up:

• Shakespeare’s Globe
• The National Theatre
• Hampstead Theatre

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Best Website
Winner:
Shakespeare’s Globe – packed with useful information and background information

Runners Up

• The National Theatre
• The RSC
• The Young Vic

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Best Social Media
Winner:
Shakespeare’s Globe – who truly understand Social Media is about engagement and discussion not just promotion

Runners Up

• The Young Vic
• New Wolsey Theatre
• Paines Plough

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Best Programme
Winner:
National Theatre – good background info and well produced

Runners Up

• Shakespeare’s Globe
• RSC
• Menier Chocolate Factory

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Best Food
Winner:
The RSC Rooftop Restaurant – great food, great views, great service and if you book the pre theatre menu great prices (even better with member discount)

Runners Up

• National Theatre – Circle Café £10 meal deal
• The Young Vic
• Hampstead Theatre