2022 UK Pantomime Awards winners revealed
Photo credit: Freia Turland
The winners of the 2022 UK Pantomime Awards were announced in a lavish ceremony at the Trafalgar Theatre last night, hosted by Christopher Biggins.
Performer awards went to (our very own Creative Director) Duncan Burt and Nic Gibney for ‘Best Ugly Sisters’ in Cinderella at Theatre Royal Bath; Morgan Brind for ‘Best Dame’ in Sleeping Beauty at Derby Arena; Tam Ryan for ‘Best Comic’ in Cinderella at Wolverhampton Grand; Rolan Bell for ‘Best Villain’ in Aladdin at Cambridge Arts Theatre; and Alexandra Burke for ‘Best Mythical Being’ in Aladdin at Manchester Opera House.
Naomi Alade received the award for ‘Best Principal Girl’ in Robin Hood at Oxford Playhouse; with Dominic Sibanda for ‘Best Principal Boy’ in Sleeping Beauty at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield; Kate Donnachie for ‘Best Supporting Artist’ in Aladdin at Lyric Hammersmith; Becca Lee-Isaacs for ‘Best Early Career Newcomer’ in Robin Hood at Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield; Rob Rinder for ‘Best Newcomer to Pantomime’ in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Bristol Hippodrome; and Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Char Burnett, Robert Donnelly, Louis Emmanuel, Amiyah Goodall, Tanieth Kerr, Georgia-Mae Price, Millie Robins, Ernest Stroud and Jessamie Waldon-Day for ‘Best Ensemble’ in Dick Whittington at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford;
Creative team awards were awarded to Vikki Stone for ‘Best Script’ for Aladdin at Lyric Hammersmith; Matt Cross for ‘Best Lighting’ in Beauty and the Beast at Kings Lynn Corn Exchange; Alex Linney for ‘Best Sound Design’ in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Gaiety Theatre on the Isle of Man; Cleo Pettitt for ‘Best Set Design’ in Dick Whittington and his Cat at Watford Palace Theatre; Celia Perkins for ‘Best Costume Design’ in Aladdin at Oldham Coliseum; Jonny Bowles for ‘Best Choreography’ in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Grand Opera House in Belfast; Paul Hendy for ‘Best Direction’ in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury; and Jamie Noar for ‘Best Musical Direction’ in Robin Hood at the Liverpool Everyman.
Special recognition awards were presented to Joe Tracini for changing perceptions and raising awareness of mental health through his pantomime performance and original pantomime song; to Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse for exceptional execution of the ‘balloon ballet’ and the championing of set-pieces; and to Justin Brett, Susan Harrison and Ali James (The Showstoppers) for skilled execution of fully improvised ‘front cloth’ sequences including songs created from audience participation, promoting innovation in content. Nigel Ellacott also received the Outstanding Achievement award.
The Best Pantomime (digital) was given to Jack and the Beanstalk by New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich; with the Best Pantomime (under 500 seats) for Robin Hood at the Liverpool Everyman; Best Pantomime (500-900 seats) for Aladdin at the Lyric Hammersmith; and Best Pantomime (Over 900 seats) for Jack and the Beanstalk at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury.
Congratulations to all of the worthy winners (but especially our Duncan!)
