For the second year in a row, at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Whatsonstage.com is sponsoring the Musical Theatre Matters: UK Awards. And, taking a leaf out of our own annual Whatsonstage.com Awards, we’re working with MTM to launch a “people’s choice” category in which theatregoers will choose their favourite musical at the world’s largest arts festival, running from 6 to 30 August 2010.
Now in their fourth year, the MTM: UK Awards are the only prize-giving specifically dedicated to the musical genre at Edinburgh Fringe. Traditionally, the Awards comprise five key categories: Best New Musical, Best Musical Production, Best Book, Best Music and Best Lyrics. From this year’s Fringe programme, a total of 58 musicals have been deemed eligible for one or more award this year.
During the first two weeks of the festival, each show will be visited twice by a team of assessors. In the week after the shortlists are announced on 19 August, the panel of judges – including Whatsonstage.com editorial director Terri Paddock – will pay each show a final visit before making their decision.
For the first time in 2010, there is a sixth award, which neither assessors nor judges have any say over. The new “People’s Choice” Favourite Musical prize is decided by audience members, who can select from any of the eligible musicals – including big musical revivals – at this year’s festival.
ALL 2020 MTM: UK AWARD WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE AWARDS GALA HELD ON WEDNESDAY 25 AUGUST 2010, 3.30PM AT PLEASANCE BEYOND. THE EVENT, HOSTED BY MERVYN STUTTER, WILL ALSO INCLUDE LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM TOP FRINGE MUSICALS. TICKETS COST JUST £5. BOOK NOW AT www.pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh!!
TAKING PART IN THE VOTE: If you’d like to vote in the “People’s Choice” MTM: UK Award, you can do so via the form below. Before doing so, however, we recommend that you see several of the long-listed musicals before making a decision. Voting closes 24 August 2010. ONLY YOUR FIRST VOTE WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM.
For full details about the MTM:UK Awards, including eligibility criteria and the full list of shows being assessed for consideration in 2009, visit the Musical Theatre Matters website.
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