WhatsOnStage today announces that nominations are now open for the 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves. Nominations will close at midday on 21 November ahead of the shortlist being announced on 5 December 2024. Voting on the shortlist will then open at the same time, closing on 9 January 2025.
The annual event sees theatregoers across the UK nominating and voting for their favourite shows and performers. It will culminate in a glitzy concert spectacular at The London Palladium on 9 February 2025, with the winners being announced on the night.
As well as seeing the winners crowned across a range of categories, theatregoers will also enjoy a host of exclusive live performances from top stage talent, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra in a one-night-only showcase co-produced with creative directors Alex Parker and Damian Sandys.
WhatsOnStage’s Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said today: “Let the campaigning begin! We’re so excited to provide audiences with the opportunity to have their say and crown their favourite shows and creatives. As is the case every year, we continue to refine and adapt our awards line-up to reflect the ever-changing nature of our theatre community. This year, we’ve broadened the scope of the Best Off-West End Production Award and renamed it the “Best Studio Production Award” to recognise smaller-scale venues across the nation, to celebrate artists making captivating work in more intimate spaces.
“Secondly, after many years of constructive conversations, we’ve introduced a Wigs, Hair and Make-Up category to foreground the incredible work being done by some of theatre’s most innovative artists. We can’t wait to come together on 9 February at The London Palladium for an extra-special event for our silver anniversary!”
For each of the following, readers will be able to nominate and vote for one individual/show:
- Best Performer in a Play – Sponsored by SINE Digital
- Best Performer in a Musical – Sponsored by Ticketmaster
- Best Supporting Performer in a Play
- Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – Sponsored by Newman Displays
- Best Takeover Performance
- Best Professional Debut – Sponsored by AKA
- Best New Play – Sponsored by Go Live Theatre Projects
- Best New Musical – Sponsored by Travelzoo
- Best Play Revival – Sponsored by Edwardian Hotels, Official Hotel Partner
- Best Musical Revival – Sponsored by Concord
- Best Regional Production – Sponsored by MTI
- Best Studio Production – Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Best Concert Event
- Best West End Show – Sponsored by Dewynters
For almost all categories, productions must have begun preview performances of a press-reviewed run before 7 November 2024 in order to be eligible. Nominations close at midday on 21 November 2024.
Audiences are strongly encouraged to read the eligibility criteria before submitting their nominations. Eligibility criteria are available here.
The shortlist for the technical categories (Choreography, Costume Design, Direction, Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design, Lighting Design, Musical Direction/Supervision, Set Design, Sound Design, Casting Direction and Video Design) will be decided once again by an independent panel of industry experts from across the UK appointed by WhatsOnStage, taking the total number of categories to 24. Shortlists will then be voted on by the general public.
WhatsOnStage would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2025 awards ceremony sponsors: 5RB, Above Title Finance, AKA Promotions Ltd, AudienceView, Avalon, Boulevard Events, Concord, Dewynters, Disney’s Hercules, Edwardian Hotels, Hexagon Print, Go Live Theatre Projects, LOVEtheatre, Music Theatre International, Newman Displays, Outernet Venues, Preevue, PRG, Re:Water, RSVP-ify, SINE Digital, Steeldeck Rentals, Tandem Marketing, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Ticketmaster, TikTok, Travelzoo and White Light.
