Theatre News

Sheridan Smith returns to Whatsonstage.com Awards (#wosawards) for special performance

Last but by no means least in our line-up announcements, we’re delighted to tell you that four-time Whatsonstage.com Awards co-host and former Best Actress in a Musical winner (for Legally Blonde) Sheridan Smith will return this year to make a special performance at the 2013 Awards Concert, which takes place at the West End’s Palace Theatre this Sunday (17 February) – and this time she’s singing!

Smith, who is nominated this year for Best Actress in a Play for her title role in Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic, is keeping the details of her performance a closely guarded secret, but it promises to be another memorable chapter in her ongoing association with the ‘Wossies’.

Sheridan co-hosted the first-ever Whatsonstage.com Awards Concerts in 2008 and 2009 (with James Corden), then returned in 2011 (with Christopher Biggins and Miranda Hart) and last year to hilarious effect alongside Alan Davies and Jenny Eclair. In addition to winning in 2011 for Legally Blonde, she has also previously been nominated for her performances in Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors and in Terence Rattigan play Flare Path.

This year, she joins a performance line-up that also features her former Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps co-star Natalie Casey, as well as nominated shows including Taboo, Top Hat, The Bodyguard, Soho Cinders, Spamalot and Jesus Christ Superstar (featuring Tim Minchin and Melanie C). There will also performances from David Bedella and Wicked co-stars Gina Beck and Louise Dearman as part of a special American Exports medley.

Sheridan Smith
Sheridan Smith in Hedda Gabler & co-hosting the 2012 Awards

The Concert – an unmissable night with lots of glitz,
glamour and fun – sees the announcement of all 27 Whatsonstage.com Awards which have been voted for by the theatregoing public. Hosted this year by actor-comedians Rufus Hound and Mel Giedroyc, there will also be a range of surprise appearances, including a fitting tribute to some of the incredible theatrical events of 2012. 

As with December’s Launch Party, the Concert is held in aid of this year’s adopted charity, InterAct
(part of Stagecoach Charitable Trust), which provides disabled and
disadvantaged children and young people with real opportunities to
develop valuable skills for life through drama, movement and music
workshops.

The Awards Concert is directed and devised by Russell Labey, with
sound by Ben Harrison, lighting by Mike Robertson, choreography by
Lizzi Gee and musical supervision and orchestrations by Tom Deering.
It’s produced by Stuart Piper and Jason Haigh-Ellery on behalf of
Whatsonstage.com, with general management by Peter Huntley and
production management by Chris Fisher.


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