Winners announced for the 23rd WhatsOnStage Awards

It was a night like no other at the 23rd annual WhatsOnStage Awards, as some of the most renowned names in theatre gathered together to host a spectacular ceremony. The red carpet was rolled out, the buzz of chatter and applause filled the air and once again the WhatsOnStage Awards brought together an electric mix of up-and-coming and established stars, proving that the awards are the epitome of celebration and theatrical brilliance. Theatre-goers nationwide once again had the opportunity to nominate their firm favourites from the stage, and this year the commitment to inclusivity was dialled up a notch, with the addition of gender-neutral performance categories! The 23rd WhatsOnStage Awards were graced by the presence of iconic presenters such as **Jake Shears, George Takei, Bonnie Langford, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Arlene Phillips and Lisa Scott-Lee**. Here’s a rundown of the night's events!

## The standouts of the year **Courtney Bowman** and **Lauren Drew** took home Best Performer and Best Supporting Performer in a Musical respectively for *Legally Blonde*, with **Jodie Comer** winning Best Performer in a Play for her performance in *Prima Facie*. Other winners included **Gwyneth Keyworth** for Best Supporting Performer in a Play in [***To Kill a Mockingbird***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/to-kill-a-mockingbird-tickets) and **Lucie Jones** for Best Takeover as Elphaba in [***Wicked***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/wicked-tickets).  For his performance in ***The Trials*** at the Donmar Warehouse, **Joe Locke** scored Best Professional Debut. The enchanting production of *My Neighbour Totoro* swept various awards, taking home 5 prizes, including Best Direction and Best Set Design. Other notable winners included [***Bonnie & Clyde the Musical***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/bonnie-and-clyde-the-musical-tickets) for Best New Musical and the sell-out run of **Rodgers & Hammerstein**'s [***Oklahoma!***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oklahoma-tickets) at the Young Vic for Best Musical Revival. The critically acclaimed *Prima Facie* won Best New Play, and the West End premiere of *Cock* took home Best Play Revival. **Nica Burns** was honoured with the Services to Theatre Award, and the homegrown hit musical [***SIX***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/six-london-vaudeville-theatre-tickets) claimed the Best West End Show prize for the third year in a row! ### The winners of the 23rd annual WhatsOnStage Awards  **Courtney Bowman**, *Legally Blonde*, [**Regent's Park Open Air Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/open-air-theatre-regents-park-london) **Lauren Drew**, *Legally Blonde*, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre **Jodie Comer**, *Prima Facie*, [**Harold Pinter Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/harold-pinter-theatre-london) **Gwyneth Keyworth**, *To Kill a Mockingbird*, [**Gielgud Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/gielgud-theatre-london) **Lucie Jones**, Wicked, [**Apollo Victoria Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/apollo-victoria-theatre-london) **Joe Locke**, *The Trials*, Donmar Warehouse *Bonnie & Clyde the Musical*, [**Arts Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/arts-theatre-london) **Rodgers & Hammerstein**'s [***Oklahoma!***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oklahoma-tickets), [**Young Vic**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/young-vic-london) *Prima Facie*, Harold Pinter Theatre *Cock*, [**Ambassadors Theatre**](http://london) *SIX*, Vaudeville Theatre *Billy Elliot the Musical*, Curve, Leicester *But I'm A Cheerleader: The Musical*, The Turbine Theatre *Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends*, [**Sondheim Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/) **Phelim McDermott**, *My Neighbour Totoro*, Barbican Theatre **Bruce O’Neil** and **Matt Smith**, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre **Pippa Ailion** and **Natalie Gallacher**, *Spring Awakening*, [**Almeida Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/almeida-theatre-london) **Arlene Phillips**, [***Grease***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/grease-tickets), [**Dominion Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/dominion-theatre-london) **Gabriella Slade**, *The Cher Show*, UK tour **Jessica Hung Han Yun**, *My Neighbour Totoro*, Barbican Theatre **Tom Pye** and **Basil Twist**, *My Neighbour Totoro*, Barbican Theatre **Tony Gayle**, *My Neighbour Totoro*, Barbican Theatre **Joshua Thorson**, **Rodgers & Hammerstein**'s *Oklahoma!*, Young Vic **Studio Doug**, *Prima Facie*, Harold Pinter Theatre

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From as early as I can recall, writing has always been my passion. Being able to combine this with my love for theatre has been a rewarding and exhilarating experience. I truly believe that there is magic in seeing a story brought to life on stage, and this is what I would like to promote to audiences. 

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