Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s Coventry Street, was filled with enthusiastic theatregoers for the WhatsOnStage Concert and presentation of the Awards on the occasion of the annual WhatsOnStage Awards.  These unique Awards, under the leadership of WhatsOnStage CEO Sita McIntosh, are voted for by enthusiastic theatre audiences, expressing their views of the productions, both in the West End and in the regions.  Billy Differ, Cameron Mackintosh Operations Director,  led the team from The Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, and hosted a VIP drinks reception in the interval.

The Concert, hosted by Jodie Prenger and Tom Read Wilson, and produced by Paul Taylor-Mills, featured numbers from current West End shows, including Lucie Jones with She Used to Be Mine from Waitress, Miriam-Teak Lee, Cassidy Janson, Oliver Tompset and the Company with Can’t Stop the Feeling! from & Juliet, The Company of Dear Evan Hansen with You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen, Oscar Conlon-Morrey and Tom Bennett with Bit of a Sort from Only Fools and Horses the Musical, and The Company of Come From Away with Welcome to the Rock from Come From Away.  The finale was a Tribute by an all-star ensemble to the American composer, Jerry Herman, known for his work in Broadway musical theatre who died in December 2019.  

The presentation of the Awards was greeted with enthusiasm, with the Best Actress in a Musical going to Miriam-Teak Lee for & Juliet, and the Best Actor in a Musical being awarded to Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen.  Andrew Scott was voted Best Actor in a Play for Present Laughter, and Claire Foy Best Actress in a Play for Lungs.  The Best New Musical was awarded to Come From Away and Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Mary Poppins, Best Musical Revival.

For the first time, the WhatsOnStage Awards were broadcast live by BBC Radio 2, in a show hosted by Elaine Paige and Paddy O’Connell.  A new Award was included, the Elaine Paige Radio 2 Listeners’ Award, which went to the musical Six.