The Stage has announced the 2020 winners of The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment. The awards were presented as a virtual ceremony on Sunday, September 27, filmed at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, in the heart of London’s West End.
Newcomer Sam Tutty scooped two awards for his star-making performance in the hit West End musical, Dear Evan Hansen. Marking his professional debut in one of the most anticipated productions of last year, Tutty captured the inner turmoil of the title character with immense skill and vocal precision. The recent Italia Conti graduate was announced as one of two winners for Best Performer in a Musical before it was revealed the general public also crowned him as the winner of Best West End Debut Performer; beating Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Suits), David Mitchell (Peep Show) and Aimee Lou Wood (Netflix’s Sex Education).
The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, were hosted by the Olivier-nominated & Juliet star and former 2017 Debut Award winner Miriam-Teak Lee. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards were presented virtually for the first time allowing everyone to watch along at home, attracting over two and a half thousand views across Facebook, Youtube and Scenesaver.
Alistair Smith, editor of The Stage, says, “A huge congratulations to all our amazing winners and nominees. It has been an awful year for everyone in theatre, which makes it all the more important that we celebrate and support the emerging talent that is trying to gain a foothold in the industry at this difficult time.
“I have no doubt that when theatre comes back, it will return stronger than ever thanks to these exceptional theatremakers.”
The Stage Debut Awards recognise outstanding emerging talent from actors and directors to designers, writers, composers and lyricists, all of whom have made their professional debuts in the past year.
Danny Cohen, president of headline sponsor Access Entertainment, said: “Access Entertainment is delighted to sponsor The Stage Debut Awards for the third year and continue our commitment to nurturing new talent – needed now more than ever at such a challenging time for theatre and the creative industries.”
The Stage Debut Awards’ 2020 Winners In Full
Best Performer in a Play – Sponsored by Audible – Daniel Monks for Teenage Dick at the Donmar Warehouse, London and Rachel Nwokoro for Little Baby Jesus at the Orange Tree Theatre, London
Best Performer in a Musical – Shan Ako for Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, London and
Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre, London
Best Director – Sponsored by Smith & Williamson – Martha Kiss Perrone for When It Breaks It Burns at the Battersea Arts Centre, London
Best Designer – Sponsored by Robe Lighting – Rose Revitt (set and costume) for Dr Korczak’s Example at Leeds Playhouse
Best Composer or Lyricist – Jim Barne and Kit Buchan for The Season at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Royal and Derngate, Northampton
Best Writer – Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep)
Best West End Debut Performer – Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment – Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen at the Noël Coward Theatre
Best Creative West End Debut – Sponsored by the Noël Coward Foundation – Femi Temowo (composer) for Death of a Salesman at the Piccadilly Theatre and for Three Sisters at the National Theatre
