On & Off Broadway Brits Win Theatre World Awards

As New York’s annual prize-giving orgy continues in the lead-up to the Tony Awards ceremony on 3 June 2001, several British performers and stars of productions seen first in the West End have been singled out for a fresh round of honours from Theatre World.

Theatre World – an annually published photographic and editorial record of the previous New York theatre season, that will, coincidentally, be presented itself this year with a special Tony Award for achievement in theatre – annually recognises outstanding actors who making their stage debuts in New York. This year Theatre World’s editor John Willis and a committee of other critics have selected14 actors for recognition.

The list includes Brits Joely Richardson (for her appearance in the off-Broadway
production of Madame Melville, taking over the role originated here
by Irene Jacob – co-star Macaulay Culkin is also to receive a Theatre World
Award) and Janie Dee (for reprising her Olivier Award-winning performance in
Alan Ayckbourn’s Comic Potential in its off-Broadway incarnation at
Manhattan Theatre Club). Meanwhile, Irishmen Sean Campion and Conleth Hill (pictured) will receive a special Theatre World Award for their performances in Marie Jones’ two-hander Stones in His Pockets, seen first in London.

The actors will receive their awards at a ceremony held on 14 May at Studio 54, the nightclub on 54th Street that is currently the Broadway home to Cabaret.

– by Mark Shenton