Starlight Express Races to Victory and Doctor Who Stars Reunite at the 25th WhatsOnStage Awards!
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The 25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards rolled into the [London Palladium](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-palladium-london) yesterday (9th February 2025), celebrating a quarter-century of theatrical excellence. Leading the charge was **Andrew Lloyd Webber's** [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets), which steamed ahead with seven awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Professional Debut for **Jeevan Braich**. This impressive haul mirrors last year's success of another Lloyd Webber classic, *Sunset Boulevard*, which also basked in the glow of seven awards. Clearly, the maestro has a knack for hitting the right notes with theatregoers year after year.
In a twist that seems plucked from a sci-fi script, former *Doctor Who* co-stars **David Tennant** and **Freema Agyeman** both clinched acting accolades for their roles in Shakespearean revivals. Tennant, best known for his time-traveling exploits as the Tenth Doctor, won Best Performer in a Play for his portrayal of *Macbeth*. Meanwhile, Agyeman, who journeyed alongside him as companion Martha Jones, secured Best Supporting Performer in a Play for her role as the Nurse in *Romeo and Julie*t. It's almost as if their stellar performances were written in the stars—or perhaps in the time vortex.
The evening also saw **Imelda Staunton** take home the award for Best Performer in a Musical for her dazzling turn in *Hello, Dolly!* The West End will be saying "hello" to her again soon, as she's set to star alongside her real-life daughter, **Bessie Carter**, in mother-and-daughter drama *Mrs. Warren's Profession*. Talk about method acting!
**Layton Williams**, who is currently making waves as the Iceberg in [*Titanique*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/titanique-tickets), was honored with Best Takeover Performance as the Emcee in [*Cabaret*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets).
### **Full list of WhatsOnStage Award winners**
### **Best New Musical – sponsored by Travelzoo**
* *Babies*, Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan
* [*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button-tickets), Darren Clark and Jethro Compton
* [*The Devil Wears Prada*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-devil-wears-prada-tickets), Elton John, Shaina Taub, Mark Sonnenblick and Kate Wetherhead
* [*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets), Michael Jackson and Lynn Nottage
* **[*Mean Girls*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mean-girls-tickets), Jeff Richmond, Nell Benjamin and Tina Fey (Winner)**
* *Why Am I So Single?*, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
### ** Best New Play – sponsored by Go Live Theatre**
* [*Giant*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/giant-tickets), Mark Rosenblatt
* [*Kyoto*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/kyoto-tickets), Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson
* *Princess Essex*, Anne Odeke
* *Punch*, James Graham
* *Slave Play*, Jeremy O’Harris
* ***Spirited Away*, adapted by John Caird and co-adapted by Maoko Imai (Winner)**
### ** Best Musical Revival – sponsored by Concord Theatricals**
* *Dear Evan Hansen*, Nottingham Playhouse and on tour
* [*Hadestown*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hadestown-tickets), [Lyric Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyric-theatre-london)
* *Hello, Dolly!*, [London Palladium](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-palladium-london)
* *Kiss Me, Kate*, [The Barbican](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/barbican-london)
* [*Oliver!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets), Chichester Festival Theatre
* **[*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets), Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Winner)**
### ** Best Play Revival – sponsored by Edwardian Hotels London – Official Hotel Partner**
* *A Raisin in the Sun*, UK tour
* *The Crucible*, Crucible Theatre
* ***Macbeth*, [Donmar Warehouse](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/donmar-warehouse-london) and [Harold Pinter Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/harold-pinter-theatre-london) (Winner)**
* *Oedipus*, [Wyndham’s Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/wyndhams-theatre-london)
* *Romeo and Juliet*, [Duke of York’s Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/duke-of-yorks-theatre-london)
* *Waiting for Godot*, [Theatre Royal Haymarket](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-haymarket-london)
### ** Best West End Show – sponsored by Dewynters**
* [*Cabaret*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets), The Kit Kat Club at the [Playhouse Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/kit-kat-club)
* [*Hamilton*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hamilton-west-end-tickets), [Victoria Palace Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/victoria-palace-theatre-london)
* [*Les Misérables*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/les-miserables-tickets), [Sondheim Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/sondheim-theatre-london)
* [*MAMMA MIA!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mamma-mia-tickets), [Novello Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/novello-theatre-london)
* *Operation Mincemeat*, [Fortune Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/fortune-theatre-london)
* **[*Six*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/six-london-vaudeville-theatre-tickets), [Vaudeville Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/vaudeville-theatre-london) (Winner)**
### **Best Performer in a Musical – sponsored by Ticketmaster**
* Georgina Castle, [*Mean Girls*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mean-girls-tickets)
* Jo Foster, *Why Am I So Single?*
* Myles Frost, [*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets)
* **Imelda Staunton, *Hello, Dolly! (Winner)***
* Leesa Tulley, *Why Am I So Single?*
* Vanessa Williams, [*The Devil Wears Prada*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-devil-wears-prada-tickets)
### ** Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – sponsored by Newman Displays**
* Siobhan Athwal, *Bhangra Nation*
* Amy Di Bartolomeo, [*The Devil Wears Prada*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-devil-wears-prada-tickets)
* **Melanie La Barrie, [*Hadestown*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hadestown-tickets) *(Winner)***
* Grace Mouat, [*Mean Girls*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mean-girls-tickets)
* Jaydon Vijn, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets)
* Tom Xander, [*Mean Girls*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mean-girls-tickets)
### ** Best Performer in a Play – sponsored by Sine Digital**
* Emma D’Arcy, *The Other Place*
* Tom Holland, *Romeo and Juliet*
* Cush Jumbo, *Macbeth*
* Anne Odeke, *Princess Essex*
* Michael Sheen, *Nye*
* **David Tennant, *Macbeth (Winner)***
### **Best Supporting Performer in a Play**
* **Freema Agyeman, *Romeo and Juliet (Winner)***
* Romola Garai, [*Giant*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/giant-tickets)
* Julie Hesmondhalgh, *Punch*
* Teddy Hinde, *The History Boys*
* Atsuki Mashiko, *Spirited Away*
* Sharon Small, *Nye*
### **Best Takeover Performance – supported by Hurtwood House, the School for Theatre **
* Zoe Birkett, [*TINA – The Tina Turner Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets)
* Cara Delevingne, [*Cabaret*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets)
* Craig Ryder, [*Moulin Rouge! the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/moulin-rouge-tickets)
* Alex Sawyer, [*Hamilton*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hamilton-west-end-tickets)
* Tobias Turley, [*MAMMA MIA!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mamma-mia-tickets)
* **Layton Williams, [*Cabaret*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets) *(Winner)***
### ** Best Professional Debut Performance – sponsored by AKA**
* Esme Bowdler, *Heathers the Musical*
* **Jeevan Braich, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets) *(Winner)***
* Stevie Doc, [*MAMMA MIA!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mamma-mia-tickets)
* Vasco Emauz, [*Back to the Future the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/back-to-the-future-tickets)
* Mia Kobayashi, *Your Lie in April*
* Gerardine Sacdalan, *& Juliet*
### ** Best Regional Production – sponsored by Music Theatre International**
* *42 Balloons*, The Lowry, Salford
* *The Artist*, Theatre Royal Plymouth
* *Becoming Nancy*, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
* *Brassed Off*, Theatre by the Lake, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton
* *Dear Evan Hansen*, Nottingham Playhouse and UK tour
* **[*Oliver!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets), Chichester Festival Theatre (Winner)**
### ** Best Off-West End Production – sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide**
* *Brace Brace*, [Royal Court](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/royal-court-theatre-london)
* *Dear Young Monster*, Bristol Old Vic
* ***Diary of a Gay Disaster*, Underbelly Cowgate and Arcola Theatre (Winner)**
* *Kenrex*, Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield
* *Mulatto Boy*, Omnibus Theatre
* *Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em*, Barn Theatre, Cirencester
### ** Best Direction – sponsored by LOVEtheatre**
* Eline Arbo, [*The Years*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-years-tickets)
* Robert Icke, *Oedipus*
* Anthony Lau, *The Crucible*
* James Macdonald, *Waiting for Godot*
* Drew McOnie, *The Artist*
* **Emma Rice, *The Buddha of Suburbia (Winner)***
### ** Best Concert Event**
* *Gypsy the Musical in Concert*, Hope Mill Theatre at Opera House, Manchester
* *I Am Harvey Milk*, Cadogan Hall
* *Pippin – 50th Anniversary Concert*, [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-drury-lane-london)
* ***Something Rotten! – In Concert*, [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-drury-lane-london) (Winner)**
* *Sondheim on Sondheim*, Alexandra Palace Theatre
* *Spring Awakening: 15th Anniversary Concert,* [Victoria Palace Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/victoria-palace-theatre-london)
### ** Best Musical Direction/Supervision – sponsored by Disney’s *Hercules***
* Mark Aspinall and Dan Turek, [*Fiddler on the Roof*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets)
* Niraj Chag and Simon Baker, *The Buddha of Suburbia*
* Darren Clark and Mark Aspinall, [*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button-tickets)
* Alasdair Macrae, *Macbeth*
* Matthew Malone, *Brassed Off*
* **Liam Robinson and Tarek Merchant, [*Hadestown*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hadestown-tickets) *(Winner)***
### ** Best Choreography – sponsored by LaDuca Shoes**
* Matthew Bourne, [*Oliver!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets)
* Julia Cheng, [*Fiddler on the Roof*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets)
* Drew McOnie, *The Artist*
* Rujuta Vaidya, *Bhangra Nation*
* Anthony Van Laast, *Kiss Me, Kate*
* Christopher Wheeldon, [*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets) *(Winner)*
### **Best Costume Design**
* Sachiko Nakahara, *Spirited Away*
* Lez Brotherston, [*Oliver!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets)
* Marg Horwell, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*
* Tom Scutt, [*Fiddler on the Roof*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets)
* Gabriella Slade, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets) *(Winner)*
* Rae Smith, *Hello, Dolly!*
### **Best Lighting Design – sponsored by White Light**
* Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, [*Oliver!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets)
* Howard Hudson, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets) *(Winner)*
* Jessica Hung Han Yun, *Minority Report*
* Tim Lutkin, *Coriolanus*
* Bruno Poet, *Waiting for Godot*
* Zoe Spurr, *The Artist*
### ** Best Set Design – sponsored by Preevue**
* Jon Bausor with puppetry by Toby Olié, *Spirited Away*
* Miriam Buether, [*Kyoto*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/kyoto-tickets)
* Es Devlin, *Coriolanus*
* Tim Hatley, [*Starlight Express* ](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets)*(Winner)*
* Kenneth MacLeod, *Maggie and Me*
* Tom Scutt, [*Fiddler on the Roof*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets)
### ** Best Sound Design – sponsored by HERE @ Outernet**
* Paul Arditti, *Brace Brace*
* Susan Bear, *Maggie and Me*
* Nicola T Chang, *Minority Report*
* Gareth Fry, *Macbeth (Winner)*
* Gareth Fry, *Viola’s Room*
* Gareth Owen, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets)
### ** Best Video Design – sponsored by TikTok **
* Grant Gee and Ellie Thompson, *Bluets*
* David Bergman, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*
* **Andrzej Goulding, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets) *(Winner)***
* Tal Rosner, *Minority Report*
* Ash J Woodward, *The Artist*
* Ash J Woodward, *Fangirls*
### ** Best Wigs, Hair and Make Up Design, supported by BBC Three’s Glow Up **
* Campbell Young Associates, [*The Devil Wears Prada*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-devil-wears-prada-tickets)
* Jackie Saundercock and Campbell Young Associates, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets) *(Winner)*
* Marg Horwell, *The Picture of Dorian Gray*
* Betty Marini, *The Cabinet Minister*
* Hiroaki Miyauchi, *Spirited Away*
* Georgia Nosal, *The Artist*
### **Best Casting Direction**
* Amy Ball, [*The Years*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-years-tickets)
* **Harry Blumenau and Sarah-Jane Price, *Why Am I So Single? (Winner)***
* Stuart Burt, [*Fiddler on the Roof*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/fiddler-on-the-roof-tickets)
* Alastair Coomer and Chloe Blake, *Till the Stars Come Down*
* Anna Cooper, *Macbeth*Lotte Hines, *A Raisin in the Sun*