We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Cormac Richards Theatre Awards. At the end of the day these are just based on the opinion of the reviewer and many factors come into play when deciding who nudges ahead to take the award. That said, theatre lives and dies by the hard work of all involved whether the production finds favour or no and we are lucky to have so much brilliant theatre to see in this country. It is always a privilege to watch a production as a reviewer and we never take it for granted. To the venues we visit we thank everyone for their hospitality.
To everyone we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a hugely successful 2025.
COMEDY PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Wall to wall laughs in this brilliant production of a well-crafted play of the famous TV series. Super theatre, tiny little stage, brilliant cast and as funny a production as you could want to see.
The award goes to;
SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM – BARN THEATRE, CIRENCESTER
MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
A brilliant transfer from Disney film to stage. A vibrant fun, and exciting story of colour and fabulous designs. Super singing and dancing and a true family show. Left everyone smiling amidst the laughter and joy.
The award goes to;
ALADDIN – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
DANCE PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
The two winning productions – one new and one 30 years old – share much in common – wonderful, inventive choreography; strong storylines and a presentation which puts gender and sexuality to the fore. Both brilliant.
The award goes to;
MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
THE MONOCLE – EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE
CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
As mentioned above, the productions involved are pieces of brilliance as are the two recipients (both former winners of an award). Exceptional talents presenting exceptional shows.
The award goes to;
MATHIEU GEFFRÉ – THE MONOCLE – EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE
MATTHEW BOURNE – SWAN LAKE – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
SET DESIGN OF THE YEAR
It takes huge skill to fit so much into a very small place and with all the intricacies needed with this particular production, this was required exceptional design skills. It was a joy to behold.
The award goes to;
ALFIE HEYWOOD – SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM – BARN THEATRE, CIRENCESTER
LIGHTING DESIGN
Lighting design can almost be another character in a production and plays a vital part in the creation of atmosphere and mood. In this extraordinary production the lighting design was of the highest standard.
The award goes to;
TIM LUTKIN & TIM DEILING – LIFE OF PI – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
COSTUME DESIGN
The imagination of a costume designer is always something to admire and the need to make suitable designs for acting and dance performances is a real skill. Being original while giving nod to the original is displayed for all to see in this super show.
The award goes to;
GREGG BARNES – ALADDIN – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
PANTOMIME OF THE YEAR
Yes, it’s big and brash and there’s a lot of money behind it, but the winning pantomime had many wonderful traditional elements as well as extraordinary sets and costumes and great performances. The audiences loved it.
The award goes to;
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
PANTOMIME PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Pantomime is much more difficult to perform than people think and when props include a pair of skis, rollerskates and an 8 foot high unicycle then the challenges are increased massively. The recipient used all these in an exhaustingly brilliant performance. Genius.
The award goes to;
MATT FREEMAN – FAIRY GODMOTHER – CINDERELLA – EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE
ENSEMBLE AWARD
This award recognises a cast/company working so closely together. The performers on stage in perfect harmony and supported by those off. In both productions the cast presented seamless work, hugely dependent on each other – mostly all on stage at the same time as each other. Production values, likewise, were very high/
The award goes to;
DINNER – EXETER UNIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANY – EXETER UNIVERSITY
GOD OF CARNAGE – MANOR PAVILION THEATRE, SIDMOUTH
NEW WRITING AWARD
A story of an extraordinary person written with wit and care and honesty is made more gripping and emotive when it is written by the son of the subject matter. A beautiful play, beautifully told.
The award goes to;
NICOLAS RIDLEY – WERE YOU ANYONE BEFORE DAD’S ARMY – NEWPORT QUAY ARTS
MUSIC COMPOSITION AWARD
Listening to new music is always a joy, but when it is performed solo by the composer it is so very exposing and when it is performed on a mighty instrument in an extraordinary location it is memorable indeed. Amidst a concert of the known and the new, this recipients new compositions astounded again.
The award goes to;
MATT WALTERS – AN EVENING WITH MATT WALTERS – DOWNSIDE ABBEY
MUSIC PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR – Non-Musical Theatre Production
The clever addition of a singer to the dance performance in this production provided the most extraordinary backdrop to the story telling. The singer’s voice was quite something else. Astonishing talent.
The award goes to;
IMOGEN BANKS – NIGHTCLUB SINGER – THE MONOCLE – EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE
DANCE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Amidst a myriad of talent one particular star shone especially brightly. In a wonderful production this young performer just stood out for skill and charismas. A beautiful performance which left the audience wanting more!
The award goes to;
YASIEL HODELIN BELLO – PRINCE FLORIMUND – BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET – SLEEPING BEAUTY – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
TECHNICAL AWARD – inc SPECIAL EFFECTS, PROJECTION DESIGN
The telling of this extraordinary story required amazing talents to bring it to life. The combined skills of the recipients provided something very special to the stage and illustrated just what a stage production can achieve. Exceptional stuff!
The award goes to;
ANDRZEJ GOULDING – LIFE OF PI (VIDEO DESIGN) – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
FINN CALDWELL & NICK BARNES – LIFE OF PI – (PUPPETS) – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
DUD OF THE YEAR
A number of productions qualified for this award which is not the most popular. However, for making a famous thriller so dull and, frankly boring. The award is given to this touring production which was seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (standard of production nothing to do with the theatre)
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE directed by LUCY BAILEY
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR
Again, a number of productions would qualify here. The choice was made based on memories of seeing the original production and the positives which were felt at the time. I was left unmoved by a play which has so much heart. The lack of connection between characters left it soulless. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. Again no reflection on the venue for what was a touring production.
THE HISTORY BOYS directed by Sean Linnen
SUPPORTING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR – PLAY
There are so many actors who can claim a spot in this category, but these two are chosen for specific reasons. One an actor still in the early stages of her career who we have seen grow over the last few years and gave a wonderfully assured performance. The other an actor and director (for which he is a previous recipient of one of our awards) who just pitched an unshowy performance so perfectly. Both a joy to behold in action.
The award goes to;
ANTON TWEEDALE – LAURENCE – ABIGAIL’S PARTY – MANOR PAVILION, SIDMOUTH
KATHERINE DODDS – LADY ELIZABETH RANDALL– WHILE THE SUN SHINES– MANOR PAVILION THEATRE SIDMOUTH
SUPPORTING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR – MUSICAL
A small role in any show can make the mark when it is performed so well and in this instance, the performer threw everything at the part and brought the house down. Skilled and hilarious.
The award goes to;
NATALIE BAKER – ROSIE – THE WEDDING SINGER – PRINCESS THEATRE BURNHAM ON SEA
COMEDY PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
So many laughs were offered from these performers with great comic skills. It is rare that the award is almost a shoo-in – almost – but this master of physical and verbal comedy needs to be better known – I hope he is. An extraordinary performer – a star!
The award goes to;
SAM DENIA – FRANK SPENCER – SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM – BARN THEATRE, CIRENCESTER
THEATRE/COMPANY OF THE YEAR
In two years this Company have produced two ground-breaking, memorable and stunning productions which have both won awards. They have set their own bar very high and we cannot wait to follow their progress into the future. Look out for them!
The award goes to;
RENDEZ-VOUS DANCE
PLAY PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
Another year of being spoiled for choice, this was not an easy category to decide on, but this production just shone from the off. Performed by talented students and directed with great skill, this just stood out.
The award goes to;
DINNER – EXETER UNIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANY – EXETER UNIVERSITY
MUSICAL DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Lively, bold and full-voiced – this was a dynamic band in this new production and filled the huge theatre mightily well. Lead with dynamism and joy!
The award goes to;
KATHARINE WOOLLEY – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – DOMINION THEATRE
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – MUSICAL
Taking a new piece of work and developing it into a great piece of theatre is no mean feat and the complexities of bringing a much loved story to the stage cannot be underestimated. This show whisked along at a great place with plenty of humour and pizazz!
The award goes to;
JERRY MITCHELL – THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – DOMINION THEATRE
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR IN A MUSICAL
Many stand out performances in this category, but the recipient took the role by the scruff of the neck and threw it around and around – the most energetic, hilarious and brilliantly performed routine I have seen for a long time and an exhaustingly top drawer performance.
The award goes to;
YEUKAYI USHE – GENIE – ALADDIN – THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH
DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – PLAY
When a play is put together with such precision and style and the performers present their roles in an ease that inspires and the writing is interpreted with deep understanding then you have a director with great skill. The recipient has just that.
The award goes to:
FERN BOSTON – DINNER – EXETER UNIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANY – EXETER UNIVERSITY.
ACTOR OF THE YEAR
Three wonderful performances (difficult to split them apart) – all nuanced, one overtly showbizzy, one full of subtext and one thrillingly devious – in three splendidly contrasting productions. Stand out performances in brilliant casts and shining brightly amongst a welter of wonderful actors, the recipients completely deserve their recognition.
The award goes to;
MATTHEW HARTLEY – GOD OF CARNAGE – MANOR PAVILION THEATRE, SIDMOUTH
ISABELLA MAUNDER – PAIGE – DINNER – EXETER UNIVERSITY
POLLY SMITH – JUDITH BLISS – HAY FEVER – MANOR PAVILION THEATRE, SIDMOUTH
SPECIAL AWARD
This award is presented to someone who has contributed so much without necessarily being as known about as others. The recipient has provided years of service behind the scenes at the Summer Play Festival in Sidmouth and really stepped up in 2024; sets built, lighting and sound operation and an attention to detail in set dressing that needed to be seen to be believed. Ever present but never in the spotlight. The recipient is an utter blessing to the theatre.
The award goes to;
JAMES PRENDERGAST
THEATRE EVENT OF THE YEAR
The production which left a deep impression on us in 2024.
The award goes to;
DINNER – EXETER UNIVERSITY THEATRE COMPANY – EXETER UNIVERSITY
UNTIL 2025!
CORMAC RICHARDS 2024
