The Stage Debut Awards announced a stellar line-up of guest presenters and performances from the West End’s most popular musicals for their annual ceremony, in association with ATG Entertainment. As the UK’s only awards dedicated to celebrating breakthrough theatre talent, this prestigious event shines a spotlight on the industry’s rising stars from performers, directors, writers, composers and lyricists to set, costume, lighting, sound and video design.
Some of the biggest names in theatre will gather on Sunday, September 29, at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London to honour this year’s standout talent. After her own triumphant debut as host last year, legendary drag artist, performer and singer Divina De Campo returns to once again lead the ceremony. The evening will recognise 49 nominees across eight categories — all who made remarkable professional debuts over the past year.
The awards will be presented by a star-studded roll call of well-known personalities including actor and writer Stephen Mangan, whose impressive 30-year career includes standout roles in the BAFTA-winning Green Wing and on stage in The Birthday Party.
Joining Stephen Mangan is his The Birthday Party co-star Pearl Mackie, who first gained prominence for her captivating portrayal of Bill Potts in Doctor Who. As the show’s first openly gay companion, Pearl made a significant impact with her role in the iconic sci-fi TV series and will also be seen on stage in White Rabbit Red Rabbit at @sohoplace. This year she also appeared in The Human Body at the Donmar Warehouse alongside Keeley Hawes.
Also presenting are singer, actor and former X Factor contestant Diana Vickers, who recently earned acclaim for her performance as Gwyneth Paltrow in I Wish You Well at the Edinburgh Fringe which will be transferring to the Criterion in the West End, and Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch, best known for his role in the global wizard franchise as Dean Thomas and in Shonda Rhimes‘ thriller How To Get Away With Murder. Alfred will also be seen in White Rabbit Red Rabbit at @sohoplace and was cast alongside 2023 Best West End Debut performer star Rose Ayling-Ellis in As You Like It in her winning role.
Representing the behind-the-scenes talent is directing powerhouse and Bush Theatre artistic director Lynette Linton. With her most recent West End shows—Shifters and upcoming Barcelona, starring Lily Collins—at the Duke Of York’s Theatre, Lynette is currently one of the most sought-after directors in theatre and also a previous The Stage Debuts winner.
The evening also welcomes Tony and Olivier award-winning designer Rae Smith, celebrated for her innovative work on War Horse. Her designs can also currently be seen in Hello, Dolly! playing at the London Palladium and Waiting For Godot, which opens at Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Meanwhile musical powerhouse duo Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, creators of Six and newly opened West End production Why Am I So Single? will present Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer. Completing these prestigious creatives is Chris Bush, the Book Writer of the Olivier award-winning Best New Musical Standing At The Sky’s Edge.
The ceremony will feature performances from some of the hottest shows on the West End. Georgina Castle, currently playing the infamous Regina George in Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre, will perform a number from the show. Joining her is Timmika Ramsay, who is dazzling audiences as Miss Adelaide in the hit revival of Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, who will also perform a number from this legendary musical. Divina De Campo, whose performance last year was a hit with the audience, will also take the stage with another iconic number while celebrated actor, comedian and writer, Nick Mohammed is set to perform in the guise of his acclaimed and hilarious alter-ego Mr. Swallow in a very special and exclusive performance.
The Stage Debut Award winners will be announced on September 29 2024 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London. With thanks to our headline sponsors ATG Entertainment as well as Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Michael Harrison Entertainment, Arts Council England, Preevue, Sonia Friedman Productions, Crossroads Live, Noël Coward Foundation and Trafalgar Entertainment.
Among the highlights of this year’s nominations is the fiercely contested Best West End Debut Performer category—the only award decided by public vote. This category features some of the most celebrated names from stage and screen, including Olivier award-winner Will Close for his iconic portrayal of footballer Harry Kane in Dear England, Olivier award-nominee Jack Wolfe for his magnetic performance in Next to Normal, Emmy award-winner Billy Crudup, best known for starring opposite Reece Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston on The Morning Show, for his solo performance in Harry Clarke, and Ted Lasso star and Emmy award-nominee Toheeb Jimoh for his role in Player Kings opposite Ian McKellen.
Other notable nominees this year include Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for her starring role opposite Tom Holland in Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet, Grace Hodgett Young for her role as Betty Schaefer alongside Nicole Scherzinger in the Olivier Award winning Sunset Boulevard (for which she is also nominated for Best Performer in a Musical), and Ed Larkin for his poignant portrayal in The Little Big Things. Larkin, in his role as Henry Fraser, is the first actor in a wheelchair to lead a West End musical. Finally, Louis McCartney is nominated for his performance in the Olivier award-winning Stranger Things: The First Shadow, earning nods for both Best West End Debut Performer and Best Performer in a Play. Originally from Belfast, Louis was just 20 years old at the start of the run.
A legendary name gracing this year’s list is Grammy award-winner Elvis Costello, nominated for Best Composer, Lyricist, or Book Writer for his musical contributions to Cold War at The Almeida Theatre.
The full shortlist reflects the wealth of emerging talent across the UK. Both Louis McCartney and Best Director nominee Emily Foran hail from Northern Ireland. Laura Dawkes (Best Performer in a Musical for her role as Elsa in Frozen) and Gareth John (Best Performer in a Play at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff for Housemates) fly the flag for Wales. The Midlands is represented by Grace Hodgett Young and Jeevan Braich (Best Performer in a Musical in Starlight Express) while Hannah Morely and Jack Wolfe represent Yorkshire.
The shortlist also boasts exciting and recognisable names from across the Atlantic. In addition to Billy Crudup, nominees include Tony award-winner and Grammy award nominee Myles Frost for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical, and Canadian actor Taylor Russell for her role in the Olivier award-nominated The Effect.
For the first time in the awards’ history, all three Best Director nominees are women. Joining Emily Foran in the short list are nominees Ellie Coote (42 Balloons at the Lowry) and Sophie Drake (The Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse Borough).
The National Theatre and at @sohoplace are tied for originating the most nominations this year, each securing multiple nods for creatives on their productions. The National Theatre, alongside Will Close and Taylor Russell’s nominations, received a further Best Performer in a Play nomination for Ellie-May Sheridan for London Tide. Meanwhile, @sohoplace shines with nominations from The Little Big Things – including alongside Ed Larkin’s nomination, Nick Butcher and Tom Ling for Best Composer, Lyricist, or Book Writer and Daniel Bailey for Best Creative West End Debut with Red Pitch.
Reflecting its success at the Oliviers, Sunset Boulevard leads this year’s nominations. Alongside Grace Hodgett Young’s two nominations are Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, who are in the running for Best Designer for their video work on the production.
Owing to the exceptional quality of new writing this year, nominees include Sam Grabiner (Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre), Martha Loader (Bindweed at the Mercury Theatre), Harry McDonald (Foam at Finborough Theatre), Hannah Morley (We Could All Be Perfect at Sheffield Theatres), Azuka Oforka (The Women of Llanrumney at Sherman Theatre) and Anastasia Osei-Kuffour (Love Steps at Omnibus Theatre, London).