Live Coverage: #WOSAwards Launch Party 2013

Without a hint of bias I think we can safely call the launch party of the Whatsonstage.com Awards – which takes place during the first Friday in December (ie, today!) – the hottest Christmas party ticket in theatreland.

Today, over 600 VIP guests will turn out at the West End’s Cafe de Paris to find out the nominations of this years awards, which are the only major theatre prize to be decided entirely by you, the ticket-buying public.

If you’re not lucky enough to be among the attendees, then fear not, we’ll be bringing you all the action from the event, which you can view via Twitter (@Whatsonstage) or in the the live coverage box below. And, for the first time, we’ll be running a live webcam stream from the press room…

Today’s event is attended by scores of stars from the past year’s theatregoing. Among the guest presenters helping us announce the shortlists will be Alistair McGowan, Mark Gatiss, Tamzin Outhwaite, Stephen Tompkinson and Belinda Lang. There will also be a special Christmas quartet from Niamh Perry, Zizi Strallen, Stuart Matthew Price and Iwan Lewis and a finale performance from the US cast of Tony Award-winning Green Day musical American Idiot.

The 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards are held in aid of this year’s adopted charity InterAct, which provides disabled and disadvantaged young people with real opportunities to develop valuable life skills through drama and music workshops.

Among those expected to attend today are: Aaron Sidwell, Adam James, Aden Gillett, Adrian Lester, Adrian Lukis, Adrian Noble, Ben Forster, Blake Ritson, Cian Barry Danielle Hope, Darren Day, Deborah Shaw, Dominic Rowan, Gay Soper, Geronimo Rauch, Gina Beck, Hannah Waddingham, Harry Hadden-Paton, Helen Hobson, Hattie Morahan, Helen Lederer, Jamie Ballard, Jenna Russell, Jolyon Coy, Jude Kelly, Lewis Reeves, Linda Marlowe, Lucy Bailey, Mark Curry, Mark Hadfield, Maria Friedman, Martin Ball, Matt Rawle, Nica Burns, Paul Baker, Pip Carter, Rachel Tucker, Rosemary Ashe, Owain Arthur, Sally Dexter, Sandra Dickinson, Sierra Boggess, Simon Williams, Sophie Thompson, Tanya Moodie, Tracie Bennett and Will Young.

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