The shortlist of nominated productions for this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards were announced today, and we’re delighted to report that a large number of shows seen on our stage over the past 12 months make the shortlist.
We’ve picked up two of the four nominations in the flagship Best Production category – The Emperor, a HOME, Young Vic & Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg co-production directed by our Artistic Director of Theatre Walter Meierjohann, and Ghosts, directed by Polly Findlay.
Ghosts also has two further nominations, for Niamh Cusack in the Best Actress category for her portrayal of Helen Alving, and for Norah Lopez Holden, who played Regine, in the Best Newcomer list.
David Neilson, who starred as Hamm in our co-production with the Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, of Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, directed by Dominic Hill, makes the Best Actor category. The production also picks up a Best Design nomination for Designer Tom Piper and Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell.
Accompanying Niamh Cusack in the Best Actress shortlist is Kathryn Hunter, who played no fewer than 12 different characters in The Emperor.
Two touring productions which called in at HOME in 2016 – 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, presented by Kneehigh in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Berkeley Repertory Theatre; and The Encounter, presented by Complicite – make the Best Visiting Production shortlist. In addition, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips is nominated in the Best Ensemble category.
In the Best new Play category, The Emperor is joined by A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer, presented by Complicite and the National Theatre in association with HOME. In addition, Simon McBurney, star of The Encounter, makes the Best Actor in a Visiting Production list.
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons presented by Walrus Theatre, one of the productions in our Orbit Festival last October, appears in the Best Studio Production shortlist; Summer. Autumn. Winter. Spring., presented by Quarantine, in a co-production with Contact, and supported by SICK! Festival, is nominated for Best Special Entertainment; and finally, a show in our current PUSH Festival, People Zoo Productions’ The Trial, picks up two nominations, one for Best Fringe Production and one for William J Holstead for Best Fringe Performance.
Good luck to all nominated productions and actors!
This year’s awards ceremony takes place here at HOME on Friday 17 March. Limited tickets to the public are now on sale.