Presenters and performers for the Great British Theatres Awards
We are delighted to announce an exciting line-up of leading names from across theatre, television and music for the Great British Theatres Awards.
Celebrating the extraordinary theatres and individuals who make an outstanding contribution to the UK's cultural life, the ceremony will bring together some of the industry's most recognisable faces to honour the nation's much-loved theatre buildings and the communities they serve.
Joining previously announced host, West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace, will be an impressive roster of award presenters including: acclaimed playwright James Graham; Olivier Award-winning actress Janie Dee; actor and musician Gary Kemp; celebrated stage and screen actress Siobhan Redmond; musical theatre star Tobias Turley; West End leading lady and Musical Con co-founder Shanay Holmes; acclaimed stage and screen actor Hammed Animashaun; and Zoë Armer, a recent winner of The Stage Debut Awards.
One of Britain's most celebrated contemporary playwrights, James Graham, whose acclaimed work includes Dear England, Quiz and This House, will present the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising Julie Hesmondhalgh’s important work as an advocate for theatre.
Olivier Award-winning actress Janie Dee, whose distinguished career spans the West End, Broadway and beyond, will present the Great Green Theatre Award, recognising theatres leading the way in environmental responsibility and sustainability. Dee herself is a passionate advocate for greener theatre-making, championing the importance of environmental awareness within the performing arts.
They will be joined by Ambassadors of Theatres Trust Gary Kemp, acclaimed songwriter, musician and actor, best known as a founding member of Spandau Ballet, alongside Siobhan Redmond, whose extensive stage and screen career has seen her become one of Britain's most respected performers.
Also presenting will be Tobias Turley, the musical theatre performer who won ITV's Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream and is currently staring in High School Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and Zoë Armer, recognised for her exciting emergence as a new talent on the British stage.
The impressive line-up of presenters also features Shanay Holmes, acclaimed West End performer whose credits include Nancy in Oliver! and the recent production of Fame at Theatre Royal Plymouth, and Hammed Animashaun, BAFTA-nominated actor whose credits include Black Ops, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre and Sky’s Saturday Night Live UK.
Host Marisha Wallace, one of musical theatre's most powerhouse voices, known for shows including Dreamgirls, Waitress and Cabaret, will take to the stage for a special performance. Audiences will also be treated to Keziah Ibe, who will perform the beloved My Fair Lady classic I Could Have Danced All Night from Chichester Festival Theatre's acclaimed production, with the theatre nominated for both the Great New Build and Great Green Theatre awards. Fellow nominee Polka Theatre, shortlisted for the Great Community Connection and Great Public Space awards, will give audiences an exclusive preview performance from its upcoming production of Peter Pan. This new musical reimagining of the much-loved story features original songs performed live by award-winning vocalists, beatboxers and rappers.
The evening's musical performances will be under the direction of Rob Eckland who has worked with artists such as Cher, Robbie Williams and Michael Buble, conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra, been on the Music Team for X: Factor and Britain's Got Talent, arranged for Amazon Christmas and Coca-Cola, and worked on shows in the West-End such as Back To The Future, Motown and Dreamgirls.