Angels in America

Several Central graduates have received nominations in the 2017 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Andrew GarfieldKatherine Soper and productions by Sonia Friedman are among those shortlisted this year, in the annual award that ‘recognises the dazzling array of talent, emerging and established, perennially confirms London’s theatre as the best in the world’.

Andrew Garfield (BA (Hons) Acting 2004) was nominated for Best Actor for Angels in America at the National Theatre, alongside Andrew Scott, who for the title role in the Almeida Theatre’s Hamlet, and Bertie Carvel for Ink.

The Stage Debut Award winner Katherine Soper (MA Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media 2014) is also among the shortlisted nominees, recognised in the Charles Wintour award for most promising playwright for her play Wish List at the Royal Exchange Manchester and Royal Court.

Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) produced Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman and James Graham’s Ink, which were both nominated for Best Play, and the West End’s Dreamgirls which was nominated for the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for best musical.

Overall, London’s Almeida, Royal Court and National Theatre dominate the shortlist, each with seven nominations.

Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the London Evening Standard, said: “In turbulent and uncertain times that will no doubt inspire a wave of great new plays soon enough, the global pre-eminence of the London stage is a rare and precious constant. This year, as every year, the shortlist for our awards illuminates its range, variety and sheer brilliance.

The awards ceremony will be co-hosted by US Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Lebedev, Cate Blanchett and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on December 3 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, writer and star of the award-winning play and hit BBC television series Fleabag, will present the event.

We wish all Central graduates nominated or involved with the nominated shows the best of luck!

This article was adapted from The Stage.

Above: BA Acting graduate Andrew Garfield was nominated for his role in Angels in America, seen here with fellow Central alum Nathan Stewart-Jarrett / image: Helen Maybanks for The Guardian

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