Sam West in Richard II
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Barclays Nominees Include Stars & Newcomers

The annual Barclays Theatre Awards, presented by the Theatrical Management Association, have put forth nominations for their 2001 adjudications. The awards will be presented at London's Royal Court Theatre on 21 October, with nominees including Simon Russell Beale, Sam West (pictured), Abi Morgan, Sheffield Crucible Theatre and Grid Iron's Decky Does a Bronco. However, major names on this year’s list can expect firm competition from developing companies and emerging talents.

The awards are presented for efforts in all areas of regional theatre, with over a thousand productions having been viewed. Every year the TMA appoints a panel of over 100 enthusiastic theatre-goers to serve as public panelists to assess productions in their local theatres. Barclays are a major sponsor of UK regional shows, through their Stage Partners scheme, with over £25 million invested into community programmes. The Theatrical Management Association, which provides professional support for the performing arts, represents theatre managers, producers and proprietors.

The awards fall into 14 categories, incorporating the traditional elements of Best Actress, Best Actor, Supporting Roles and Best Designer. However, recognition of additional facets comes with the Barclays Award for Most Welcoming Theatre and The Equity Award for Best Children's Show.

The Best Actor section includes Russell Beale’s portrayal of Hamlet in the National Theatre’s touring production. Sam West is also in the trio of nominees for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Richard II tour, alongside Paterson Joseph for the Royal Exchange’s Les Blancs. Best Actress performances include Morag Hood in A Listening Heaven at Edinburgh Lyceum and Kate O’Toole in Three Tall Women at Belfast Lyric.

Other productions nominated in various categories embrace Paines Plough’s Splendour (Vicky Featherstone, Best Director), West Yorkshire Playhouse’s Mister Heracles (Laura Hopkins, Best Designer) and A Listening Heaven by Torben Betts (Best New Play).

Elsewhere, the Equity Children’s Award will be contested between Liverpool Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol, Unicorn Theatre’s Tom’s Midnight Garden and The Three Musketeers at the Young Vic. The Most Welcoming Theatres threesome comprises of Cambridge Arts, Darlington Civic and Llandudno North Wales. Outstanding Achievements in Opera and Dance will also be recognised, with Opera North’s Paradise Moscow and Rambert Dance’s She Was Black among the respective contenders.

- by Gareth Thompson

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