Central Alumni Win At Recent Award Ceremonies

Central is thrilled to celebrate news that on Sunday 25 October our alumni picked up numerous awards at both the Black British Theatre Awards and the Olivier Awards ceremonies.

The Black British Theatre Awards 2020

The 2nd Black British Theatre Awards were announced in a pre-recorded ceremony at the Young Vic earlier this month, and broadcast via Sky Arts. These awards celebrate the talent and excellence of Black performers and creatives working in the UK’s theatre industry.

Guest presenters this year included alumnus Danny Sapani (Stage 1992), and we’re delighted to congratulate our graduates listed below, who won, or worked on productions that won, in the following categories;

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

Cherrelle Skeete (BA (Hons) Acting CDT 2011), for The High Table

BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY

Nari Blair-Mangat (BA (Hons) Acting 2008), for Cyrano de Bergerac

BEST PRODUCTION PLAY

Death of a Salesman, starring Martins Imhangbe (BA (Hons) Acting CDT 2013), with voice and dialect coaching from Hazel Holder (MA/MFA Voice Studies 2014)

The Olivier Awards 2020

This year’s Olivier Awards ceremony was hosted virtually for the first time, and winners were announced in a special ITV programme filmed at The London Palladium.

This year alumnus John Venier (BA Hons) Theatre Practice 2017) was selected as a public panellist on the judging panel for the main theatre category. 

We’re delighted to congratulate our graduates listed below, who won, or worked on productions that won, in the following categories;

Best Sound Design

Emma Laxton (BA (Hons) Theatre Studies 1998) for Emilia

Best New Play

Leopoldstadt, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) with casting from Amy Ball (MA Advanced Theatre Practice 1997)

Best Revival

Cyrano De Bergerac, starring Nari Blair-Mangat (BA (Hons) Acting 2008)

Best Musical Revival

Fiddler on the Roof, with Lynsey Fraser (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2005) as Deputy Stage Manager and Ben Smith (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2018) as Sound No 2

Best Entertainment or Comedy Play

Emilia, with sound design from Emma Laxton (BA (Hons) Theatre Studies 1998), choreography from Anna Morrissey (MA Movement Studies 2005), and assistance from MFA Movement student, Christina Fulcher, for the West End transfer

Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre

Baby Reindeer, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) 

Best New Musical

Dear Evan Hansen, starring Jack Loxton (BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre 2013)

Our Former Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors, Peter Roberts, also received a special Olivier Award in recognition of his career, which began in rock’n’roll tours and went on to include 40 years of service at Delfont Mackintosh as Production Manager and Technical Director, and our BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre student, Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez, was presented with a Laurence Olivier Bursary. 

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