Musical Theatre star Zoe Birkett will host this year’s UK Theatre Awards, set to take place on Sunday 8 October at London’s Guildhall. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by UK Theatre members.
Zoe has built an impressive career as an actress and singer and is currently in rehearsals for The Witches at the National Theatre, playing the role of Pippa. She has built a stellar reputation and garnered an array of rave reviews for her performances in an abundance of hit West End shows, including The Great British Bake Off Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Hair, Rent and Tommy, as well as originating the female lead in in Thriller Live. Zoe has just finished starring as Rachael Marron in The Bodyguard UK Tour, and in 2022 she won the BroadwayWorld UK / West End award for ‘Best Supporting Performer in a Musical’ for her portrayal of ‘Arabia’ in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Prior to her time in musical theatre, Zoe’s career began at just sixteen years old, when she captivated the nation on ITV’s talent show Pop Idol. As the highest placing female contestant on the show, she was signed by Simon Fuller’s 19 Management and her solo single Get Happy shot straight up the charts to number one. A natural on screen, she’s since presented for the Top of the Pops Awards, the iconic CD:UK and ITV’s Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
Her other career highlights include performing in concerts at the iconic Royal Albert Hall singing alongside Annie Lennox and performing live with a twenty-piece orchestra for the BBC’s landmark coverage of the 60th VE Day celebrations in London’s Trafalgar Square, where she entertained crowds of over 25,000 people.
Claire Walker, Co-CEO of SOLT and UK Theatre, said: “We’re so pleased to announce Zoe Birkett as our host for the 2023 UK Theatre Awards. Her incredible career in the arts and experience in touring theatre productions make her the perfect presenter for this year’s ceremony.
We are looking forward to celebrating another fantastic year of theatre across the UK. After challenging times in recent years, it’s never been more important to honour our national members for their incredible productions, and the contributions they make to their local communities.”
Full nominations for the 2023 UK Theatre Awards are to be announced on Thursday 14 September.
