Following her 2018 win for Antony and Cleopatra, Sophie Okonedo took home her second Critics Choice award, this time in the Best Actress category for her breathtaking performance in Medea. The psychologically subtle and subversive production was the first long running show to play at the newly opened @sohoplace and was met with critical acclaim.
David Tennant took the crown for best Shakespearean Performance for his portrayal of the troubled prince, MacBeth. This is the second time Tennant has won the Best Shakespearean Performance award. His first win took place 15 years ago for his tearjerking performance in Hamlet.
Rupert Goold took home best director for Dear England. The striking show, which follows the England team’s transformation under the guidance of everyone’s favourite waistcoat wearing manager, Gareth Southgate, transferred to the West End after a sold-out run at the National Theatre, and has recently been commissioned for a BBC series.
Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibin and Marcelo Dos Santos share the Most Promising Playwright award for Sleepova and Backstairs Billy respectively. The Most Promising Newcomer award also had joint winners, with Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal and Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, both taking home the prize(s). Amazingly, McCartney’s turn as Henry Creel marks the actors first time in a West End theatre. Ever.
Read on for a full list of Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards winners
Best Actor: Andrew Scott (Vanya)
Best Actress: Sophie Okonedo (Medea)
Best Shakespearean Performance: David Tennant (Macbeth)
Best Musical: Guys and Dolls
Best New Play: The Motive and the Cue, by Jack Thorne
Most Promising Newcomer(s): Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal) and Louis McCartney (Stranger Things)
Most Promising Playwright(s): Marcelo Dos Santos (Backstairs Billy) and Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini (Sleepova)
Best Director: Rupert Goold (Dear England)
Best Designer: Miriam Buether with 59 Productions (Stranger Things: The First Shadow)
Empty Space Peter Brook Award for most innovative venue: Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond