Photos

Out of the archives: starry stage photos from the last 15 years

We look back at some of the special moments from the last decade and a half in the first part of a new series

Ian McKellen (Estragon) and Patrick Stewart (Vladimir) during the curtain call for Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, England on 6th May 2009. (Credit should read: Dan Wooller/wooller.com). Paid use only. No Syndication
Ian McKellen (Estragon) and Patrick Stewart (Vladimir) during the curtain call for Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Though theatres are sadly closed as we speak, there are a lot of fond memories to look back on (and a lot to still get excited about going forwards!). In a new series of articles we look back on some of our top photos from years gone by.

Spring Awakening has its press night in 2009 – can you spot the West End stars in the making?
Spring Awakening has its press night in 2009 – can you spot the West End stars in the making?
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Jude Law and Gugu Mbatha-Raw celebrate opening Hamlet
Jude Law and Gugu Mbatha-Raw celebrate opening Hamlet
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Mark Rylance (Johnny "Rooster" Byron) and Jez Butterworth (Author) attend the after party for Jerusalem at the Royal Court Theatre
Mark Rylance (Johnny "Rooster" Byron) and Jez Butterworth (author) attend the after party for Jerusalem at the Royal Court
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Lenny Henry (Othello) during the curtain call for Othello
Lenny Henry (Othello) during the curtain call for Othello
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Check out this cast – Paul Jesson (F), Katherine Parkinson (W), Ben Whishaw (John) and Andrew Scott (M) attend the after party for Cock at the Royal Court
Check out this cast – Paul Jesson (F), Katherine Parkinson (W), Ben Whishaw (John) and Andrew Scott (M) attend the after party for Cock at the Royal Court
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
 Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Ruth Wilson and Stephen Daldry attend the 30th Anniversary gala for Notting Hill's Gate Theatre
Eddie Redmayne, Hayley Atwell, Ruth Wilson and Stephen Daldry attend the 30th Anniversary gala for Notting Hill's Gate Theatre
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
 Tom Holland (Billy Elliot) during the curtain call as Billy Elliot The Musical celebrates its fifth birthday
Tom Holland (Billy Elliot) during the curtain call as Billy Elliot The Musical celebrates its fifth birthday
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Miriam Margolyes (Madame Morrible), Nigel Planer (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Helen Dallimore (Glinda), Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Adam Garcia (Fiyero) at the curtain call of Wicked
Miriam Margolyes (Madame Morrible), Nigel Planer (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Helen Dallimore (Glinda), Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Adam Garcia (Fiyero) at the curtain call of Wicked
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Daniel Evans celebrates opening Sunday in the Park with George with fellow cast members Lauren Calpin (right) and Natalie Paris (left) in 2006. Paris is currently in the West End cast of Six
Daniel Evans celebrates opening Sunday in the Park with George with fellow cast members Lauren Calpin (right) and Natalie Paris (left) in 2006. Paris is currently in the West End cast of Six
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Nina Sosanya (Mae), Sanaa Lathan (Maggie), James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), Phylicia Rashad (Big Mama) and Adrian Lester (Brick) during the curtain call for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opening night
Nina Sosanya (Mae), Sanaa Lathan (Maggie), James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), Phylicia Rashad (Big Mama) and Adrian Lester (Brick) during the curtain call for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opening night
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Lenny Henry and Mark Rylance pick up their Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Lenny Henry and Mark Rylance pick up their Evening Standard Theatre Awards
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Kit Harington (Albert Narracott), Robin Guiver (Joey/Topthorn Hind), Al Nedjari (Joey/Topthorn Heart) and Jane Leaney (Joey/Topthorn Head) during the curtin call for War Horse in 2009
Kit Harington (Albert Narracott), Robin Guiver (Joey/Topthorn Hind), Al Nedjari (Joey/Topthorn Heart) and Jane Leaney (Joey/Topthorn Head) during the curtain call for War Horse in 2009
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Rowan Atkinson (Fagin) backstage after the Oliver! curtain call in 2009
Rowan Atkinson (Fagin) backstage after the Oliver! curtain call in 2009
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Izzard collect their WhatsOnStage Awards in 2009
Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Izzard collect their WhatsOnStage Awards in 2009
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Another starry cast – Jamie Lloyd (director), Nigel Harman (Pip/Theo), Lyndsey Marshal (Nan/Lina) and James McAvoy (Walker/Ned) attend the after party for Three Days of Rain in 2009
Another starry cast – Jamie Lloyd (director), Nigel Harman (Pip/Theo), Lyndsey Marshal (Nan/Lina) and James McAvoy (Walker/Ned) attend the after party for Three Days of Rain in 2009
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage
Ian McKellen and Mark Rylance attend the Evening Standard Awards at the Royal Opera House
Ian McKellen and Mark Rylance attend the Evening Standard Awards at the Royal Opera House
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage