The Evening Standard Theatre Awards, established in 1955, are presented annually for outstanding achievements in London Theatre. Sponsored by the Evening Standard newspaper, they are announced in late November or early December. They are the equivalent of the Broadway theatre Drama Desk Awards.
The trophies take the form of a strongly modelled statuette, a somewhat Grecian figure representing Drama, designed by Frank Dobson RA, a former Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art.
Three of the awards are given in the names of former Evening Standard notables:
Arts editor Sydney Edwards (who conceived the awards, and died suddenly in July 1979) for the Best Director category.Editor Charles Wintour (who as deputy-editor in 1955, launched the awards after a nod from the then proprietor, Lord Beaverbrook') for Most Promising Playwright.Long-serving theatre critic Milton Shulman (for several years a key member of the judging panel) for the Outstanding Newcomer award.In 2009 The Special Award was given in the name of Evgeny Lebedev, executive director of the Evening Standard.
In 1980, noting the first use of the Special Award category, Shulman observed that "In 1968 the judges felt that Alan Bennett's work Forty Years On did not fit either the category of a Play or a Musical. But since they liked it so much they gave him the coveted Dobson statuette as a Special Award. In a quarter of a century, only in 1968 had no-one been designated as 'Promising' although it could conceivably be argued that Alan Bennett's Special Award was a reasonable substitute for this category."
The Special Awards process came to a climax in 2004 when, in the 50th anniversary year, the category was used to signal peaks of accomplishment by the National Theatre (an institution), Harold Pinter (a playwright) and Dame Judi Dench (a performer).
The Patricia Rothermere Award, presented biennially from 1999 to 2005 recognised those who had given outstanding support to young actors. There was also a three-year scholarship award for a drama student. Lady Rothermere is the wife of Lord Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail and General Trust, former owners of the Evening Standard.
Commencing in 2007, the award for Best Musical was renamed The Ned Sherrin Award, in memory of the entertainer and raconteur, for many years the witty compere of the Evening Standard Awards ceremony.
The Best Actress award is now named in tribute to Natasha Richardson, who died after a skiing accident in Quebec in March 2009.
The 2007 Awards lunchtime ceremony took place at the Savoy Hotel in London on 27 November 2007. The judges' assessments of the winners are online.
The 2008 winners were announced in a ceremony at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on 24 November 2008. The judges' assessments are onlnie.
The 2009 winners were announced in a ceremony, again at the Royal Opera House, on Monday, 23 November 2009. The judges' assessments are onlnie.
The 2010 award winners were announced at a celebratory evening ceremony on Thursday 28 November 2010 in the newly refurbished Savoy Hotel. The judges' assessments are onlnie.
The 2011 short list is online.
2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 20102009 – 2008 – 2007 – 2006 – 2005 – 2004 – 2003 – 2002 – 2001 – 20001999 – 1998 – 1997 – 1996 – 1995 – 1994 – 1993 – 1992 – 1991 – 19901989 – 1988 – 1987 – 1986 – 1985 – 1984 – 1983 – 1982 – 1981 – 19802015 – James McAvoy for The Ruling Class2014 – Tom Hiddleston for Coriolanus2013 – Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear for Othello2012 – Simon Russell Beale for Collaborators2011 – Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller for Frankenstein2010 – Rory Kinnear for Hamlet and Measure for Measure2009 – Mark Rylance for Jerusalem2008 – Chiwetel Ejiofor for Othello2007 – Patrick Stewart for Macbeth2006 – Rufus Sewell for Rock 'n' Roll2005 – Simon Russell Beale for The Philanthropist2004 – Richard Griffiths for The History Boys2003 – Michael Sheen for Caligula2002 – Simon Russell Beale for Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night2001 – Alex Jennings for The Winter's Tale and The Relapse2000 – Simon Russell Beale for Hamlet1999 – Stephen Dillane for The Real Thing1998 – Kevin Spacey for The Iceman Cometh1997 – Ian Holm for King Lear1996 – Paul Scofield for John Gabriel Borkman1995 – Michael Gambon for Volpone1994 – Tom Courtenay for Moscow Stations1993 – Ian Holm for Moonlight1992 – Nigel Hawthorne for The Madness of King George III1991 – John Wood for King Lear1990 – Richard Harris for Henry IV1989 – Ian McKellen for Othello1988 – Eric Porter for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof1987 – Michael Gambon for A View from the Bridge1986 – Albert Finney for Orphans1985 – Antony Sher for Richard III1984 – Ian McKellen for Coriolanus1983 – Derek Jacobi for Much Ado About Nothing1982 – Alec McCowen for The Portage to San Cristobal of A.H.1981 – Alan Howard for Good1980 – Tom Courtenay for The Dresser1979 – Warren Mitchell for Death of a Salesman1978 – Alan Howard for Coriolanus1977 – Donald Sinden for King Lear1976 – Albert Finney for Tamburlaine the Great1975 – John Gielgud for No Man's Land1974 – John Wood for Travesties1973 – Alec McCowen for The Misanthrope1972 – Laurence Olivier for Long Day's Journey Into Night1971 – Alan Bates for Butley1970 – John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson for Home1969 – Nicol Williamson for Hamlet1968 – Alec McCowen for Hadrian VII1967 – Laurence Olivier for Dance of Death1966 – Albert Finney for A Flea in Her Ear1965 – Ian Holm for Henry V1964 – Nicol Williamson for Inadmissible Evidence1963 – Michael Redgrave for Uncle Vanya1962 – Paul Scofield for King Lear1961 – Christopher Plummer for Becket1960 – Alec Guinness for Ross, and Rex Harrison for Platonov*1959 – Eric Porter for Rosmersholm1958 – Michael Redgrave for A Touch of the Sun1957 – Laurence Olivier for The Entertainer1956 – Paul Scofield for The Power and the Glory1955 – Richard Burton for Henry VRenamed in 2009 as The Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress
2015 – Nicole Kidman for Photograph 512014 – Gillian Anderson for A Streetcar Named Desire2013 – Helen Mirren for The Audience2012 – Hattie Morahan for A Doll's House2011 – Sheridan Smith for Flare Path2010 – Nancy Carroll for After the Dance2009 – Rachel Weisz for A Streetcar Named Desire2008 – Penelope Wilton and Margaret Tyzack for The Chalk Garden2007 – Anne-Marie Duff for Saint Joan2006 – Kathleen Turner for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?2005 – Harriet Walter for Mary Stuart2004 – Victoria Hamilton for Suddenly, Last Summer2003 – Sandy McDade for Iron2002 – Clare Higgins for Vincent in Brixton2001 – Fiona Shaw for Medea2000 – Paola Dionisotti for Further Than the Furthest Thing1999 – Janie Dee for Comic Potential1998 – Sinéad Cusack for Our Lady of Sligo1997 – Eileen Atkins for A Delicate Balance1996 – Diana Rigg for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Mother Courage1995 – Geraldine McEwan for The Way of the World1994 – Maggie Smith for Three Tall Women1993 – Fiona Shaw for Machinal1992 – Diana Rigg for Medea1991 – Vanessa Redgrave for When She Danced (Martin Sherman)1990 – Josette Simon for After the Fall1989 – Felicity Kendal for Much Ado About Nothing and Ivanov1988 – Lindsay Duncan for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof1987 – Judi Dench for Antony and Cleopatra1986 – Julia McKenzie for Woman in Mind1985 – Vanessa Redgrave for The Seagull1984 – Maggie Smith for The Way of the World1983 – Geraldine McEwan for The Rivals1982 – Judi Dench for A Kind of Alaska and The Importance of Being Earnest1981 – Maggie Smith for Virginia1980 – Judi Dench for Juno and the Paycock and Frances de la Tour for Duet for One1979 – Vanessa Redgrave for The Lady from the Sea1978 – Kate Nelligan for Plenty1977 – Alison Steadman for Abigail's Party1976 – Janet Suzman for Three Sisters1975 – Dorothy Tutin for A Month in the Country1974 – Claire Bloom for A Streetcar Named Desire1973 – Janet Suzman for Hello and Goodbye1972 – Rachel Roberts for Alpha Beta1971 – Peggy Ashcroft for The Loves of Viorne1970 – Maggie Smith for Hedda Gabler1969 – Rosemary Harris for Plaza Suite1968 – Jill Bennett for Time Present1967 – Lila Kedrova for The Cherry Orchard1966 – Irene Worth for A Song at Twilight1965 – Eileen Atkins for The Killing of Sister George1964 – Peggy Ashcroft for The Wars of the Roses1963 – Joan Plowright for Saint Joan1962 – Maggie Smith for The Private Ear and The Public Eye1961 – Vanessa Redgrave for As You Like It1960 – Dorothy Tutin for Twelfth Night1959 – Flora Robson for The Aspern Papers1958 – Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies for Long Day's Journey Into Night1957 – Brenda De Banzie for The Entertainer1956 – Peggy Ashcroft for The Chalk Garden1955 – Siobhán McKenna for Saint Joan2014 – The Scottsboro Boys2013 – Merrily We Roll Along2012 – Sweeney Todd2011 – Matilda2010 – Passion2009 – Hello, Dolly!2008 – Street Scene2007 – Hairspray2006 – Caroline, or Change2005 – Billy Elliot2004 – The Producers2003 – Jerry Springer: The Opera2002 – The Full Monty2001 – Kiss Me, Kate (a revival)2000 – The Car Man1999 – Spend Spend Spend1998 – Oklahoma!1997 – Lady in the Dark1996 – Passion1995 – Mack and Mabel1994 – No award1993 – City of Angels1992 – Kiss of the Spider Woman1991 – Carmen Jones1990 – Into the Woods1989 – Miss Saigon1988 – No award1987 – Follies1986 – The Phantom of the Opera1985 – Are You Lonesome Tonight by Alan Bleasdale1984 – 42nd Street1983 – Little Shop of Horrors1982 – Windy City by Dick Vosburgh and Tony Macaulay1981 – Cats1980 – Sweeney Todd1979 – Songbook by Monty Norman and Julian More1978 – Annie1977 – Elvis1976 – A Chorus Line1975 – A Little Night Music1974 – John, Paul, George, Ringo … and Bert by Willy Russell1973 – The Rocky Horror Show1972 – Applause1971 – No award1970 – No award1969 – Promises, Promises1968 – Cabaret1967 – Sweet Charity1966 – Funny Girl1965 – No award1964 – Little Me1963 – Oh, What a Lovely War!1962 – No award1961 – Beyond the Fringe1960 – Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be by Frank Norman and Lionel Bart1959 – Make Me an Offer by Wolf Mankowitz, Monty Norman and David Heneker1958 – West Side Story1957 – No award1956 – Cranks by John Cranko and John Addison1955 – The Pajama GameAlso in 1955 Salad Days was given the Award for Most Enjoyable Show.2015 – Anna Fleischle for Hangmen2014 – Es Devlin for American Psycho2013 – Bob Crowley for People and The Audience and Once2012 – Soutra Gilmour for Inadmissible Evidence and Antigone2011 – Adam Cork for Anna Christie and King Lear2010 – Miriam Buether for Earthquakes in London and Sucker Punch2009 – Mamoru Iriguchi for Mincemeat at Cordy House in Shoreditch2008 – Neil Murray for Brief Encounter2007 – Rae Smith and the Handspring Puppet Company for War Horse2006 – Timothy Bird (projections) and David Farley (set and costumes) for Sunday in the Park With George2005 – Bob Crowley for Mary Poppins2004 – Ian MacNeil, Jean Kalman and Paul Arditti for Festen2003 – Christopher Oram for Caligula2002 – Ian MacNeil for Plasticine and A Number2001 – Paul Brown for Platonov and The Tempest2000 – Bunny Christie for Baby Doll1999 – Rob Howell for Richard III, Troilus and Cressida and Vassa1998 – Richard Hoover for Not about Nightingales (First award in this category)2001 – Feelgood by Alistair Beaton2000 – Stones in His Pocket by Marie Jones1997 – Closer by Patrick Marber1996 – 'Art' by Yasmina Reza1995 – Dealer's Choice by Patrick Marber1994 – My Night with Reg by Kevin Elyot1993 – Jamais Vu by Ken Campbell1992 – The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright1991 – Kvetch by Steven Berkoff1990 – Man of the Moment by Alan Ayckbourn and Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell by Keith Waterhouse1989 – Henceforward... by Alan Ayckbourn1988 – Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer1987 – Serious Money by Caryl Churchill1986 – A Month of Sundays by Bob Larbey1985 – A Chorus of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn1984 – Stepping Out by Richard Harris1983 – Tales from Hollywood by Christopher Hampton1982 – Noises Off by Michael Frayn1981 – Goose Pimples by Mike Leigh1980 – Make and Break by Michael Frayn1979 – A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus1978 – Gloo-Joo by Michael Hastings1977 – Privates on Parade by Peter Nichols1976 – The Thoughts of Chairman Alf by Johnny Speight1975 – Alphabetical Order by Michael Frayn1974 – Travesties by Tom Stoppard1973 – Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn1972 – Veterans by Charles Wood1971 – Getting On by Alan Bennett1970 – The Philanthropist by Christopher Hampton (First award in this category)1955 – Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett2015 – Vanessa Redgrave2014 – Kate Bush For her remarkable theatre-based comeback live shows Before the Dawn2013 – Kevin Spacey For his contribution to British theatre2012 – David Hare2010 – Daniel Kaluuya for Sucker Punch2008 – Royal Shakespeare Company for its epic cycle of history plays2006 – Frost/Nixon2014 – Jeremy Herrin for Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies2013 – Richard Eyre for Ghosts2012 – Nicholas Hytner for Timon of Athens2011 – Mike Leigh for Grief2010 – Howard Davies for The White Guard and All My Sons2009 – Rupert Goold for Enron2008 – Michael Grandage for Ivanov and Othello and The Chalk Garden2007 – Rupert Goold for Macbeth2006 – Marianne Elliott for Pillars of the Community2005 – Michael Grandage for Don Carlos and Grand Hotel2004 – Rufus Norris for Festen2003 – Polly Teale for After Mrs Rochester2002 – Sam Mendes for Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night2001 – Deborah Warner for Medea2000 – Howard Davies for All My Sons1999 – Trevor Nunn for Summerfolk and The Merchant of Venice1996 – Katie Mitchell for The Phoenician Women1995 – Matthew Warchus for Volpone and Henry V1994 – Sean Mathias for Les Parents terribles and Design for Living1993 – Terry Hands for Tamburlaine The Great1992 – Stephen Daldry for An Inspector Calls1991 – Trevor Nunn for Timon of Athens1990 – Richard Jones for Into The Woods and The Illusion1989 – Nicholas Hytner for Miss Saigon and Ghetto1988 – Deborah Warner for Titus Andronicus1987 – Peter Hall for Antony and Cleopatra1986 – Nuria Espert for The House of Bernarda Alba1985 – Bill Bryden for The Mysteries1984 – Christopher Morahan for Wild Honey1983 – Yuri Lyubimov for Crime and Punishment1982 – Richard Eyre for Guys and Dolls1981 – Peter Hall for The Oresteia1980 – Trevor Nunn and John Caird for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby1979 – Trevor Nunn for Once in a Lifetime (The first award in this category)2014 – Beth Steel for Wonderland2013 – Rachel De-lahay for Routes2012 – Lolita Chakrabarti for Red Velvet2011 – Penelope Skinner for The Village Bike2010 – Anya Reiss for Spur of the Moment2009 – Alia Bano for Shades2008 – Tarell Alvin McCraney for In the Red and Brown Water and The Brothers Size2007 – Polly Stenham for That Face2006 – Nina Raine for Rabbit2005 – Nell Leyshon for Comfort Me With Apples2004 – No award2003 – Kwame Kwei-Armah for Elmira's Kitchen2002 – Vassily Sigarev for Plasticine2001 – Roy Williams for Clubland2000 – Gary Mitchell for The Force of Change1999 – Rebecca Gilman for The Glory of Living1998 – Mark Ravenhill for Handbag1997 – Conor McPherson for The Weir1996 – Martin McDonagh for The Beauty Queen of Leenane1995 – Jez Butterworth for Mojo1994 – Jonathan Harvey for Babies1993 – Brad Fraser for Unidentified Human Remains and Simon Donald for The Life of Stuff1992 – Philip Ridley for The Fastest Clock in the Universe1991 – Rona Munro for Bold Girls1990 – Clare McIntyre for My Heart's a Suitcase1989 – Stephen Jeffreys for Valued Friends1988 – Timberlake Wertenbaker for Our Country's Good1987 – Stephen Bill for Curtains1986 – Frank McGuinness for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme1985 – Billy Hamon for Grafters1984 – Sharman MacDonald for When I Was a Girl, I Used to Scream and Shout1983 – Phil Young for Crystal Clear1982 – Terry Johnson for Insignificance1981 – Nell Dunn for Steaming1980 – Paul Kember for Not Quite Jerusalem1979 – Richard Harris for Outside Edge and Victoria Wood for Talent1978 – John Byrne for The Slab Boys and Brian Clark for Whose Life Is It Anyway?1977 – Mary O'Malley for Once a Catholic and James Robson for Factory Birds1976 – Stewart Parker for Spokesong1975 – Stephen Poliakoff for Hitting Town1974 – Mustapha Matura for Play Mas1973 – David Williamson for The Removalists1972 – Wilson John Haire for Within Two Shadows1971 – E A Whitehead for The Foursoe1970 – David Hare for Slag and Heathcote Williams for AC/DC1969 – Peter Barnes for The Ruling Class1968 – No award1967 – Tom Stoppard for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and David Storey for The Restoration of Arnold Middleton1966 – David Halliwell for Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs1965 – David Mercer for Ride a Cock Horse1964 – No award1963 – Charles Wood for Cockade and James Saunders for Next Time I'll Sing To You1962 – David Rudkin for Afore Night Come1961 – Gwyn Thomas for The Keep (1962) and Henry Livings for Stop It Whoever You Are1960 – J P Donleavy for Fairy Tales of New York1959 – John Arden for Serjeant Musgrave's Dance and Arnold Wesker for Roots1958 – Peter Shaffer for Five Finger Exercise1957 – Robert Bolt for Flowering Cherry1956 – John Osborne for Look Back in Anger1955 – No awardThe Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer
2014 – Laura Jane Matthewson for Dogfight2013 – Seth Numrich for Sweet Bird of Youth2012 – Matthew Tennyson for Making Noise Quietly2011 – Kyle Soller for The Faith Machine, The Glass Menagerie and Government Inspector2010 – Kate Bond and Morgan Lloyd for You Me Bum Bum Train2009 – Lenny Henry for Othello2008 – Ella Smith for Fat Pig2007 – Stephen Wight for Dealer's Choice and Don Juan in Soho2006 – Andrew Garfield for Beautiful Thing; Burn/Chatroom/Citizenship; The Overwhelming2005 – Menier Chocolate Factory: David Babani and Danielle Tarento2004 – Eddie Redmayne for The Goat: or, Who Is Sylvia?2003 – Tom Hardy for Blood and In Arabia We'd All Be Kings2002 – Jake Gyllenhaal for This Is Our Youth2001 – Rufus Norris for Afore Night Come2000 – Chiwetel Ejiofor for Blue/Orange1999 – Eve Best for Tis Pity She's a Whore (First award in this category)1998 – Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid of the Almeida Theatre (Only award in this category)2005 – Penelope Keith. And Hannah Croft scholarship award2003 – Richard Attenborough for exceptional support for young actors. And Elif Yesil scholarship award2001 – Prunella Scales. And Cassandre Joseph scholarship award1999 – Simon Callow for Outstanding services to the theatre. And Martin Rea scholarship award1997 – Judi Dench (Outstanding services to the theatre) and Mark Rice-Oxley (scholarship award)1993 – Matthew Rhys (scholarship award)2014 – Tom Stoppard2013 – Andrew Lloyd Webber2012 – Nicholas Hytner2011 – Kristin Scott Thomas2010 – Michael Gambon2009 – Ian McKellen for his contribution to British theatre2008 – Kevin Spacey for bringing new life to the Old Vic2007 – Stephen Tompkins for innovative theatre architecture2006 – The Tricycle Theatre for its pioneering work in political theatre2005 – The Royal Court Theatre2004 – 50th Anniversary Special Award: Harold Pinter (playwright), National Theatre (institution) and Dame Judi Dench (performer)2003 – Max Stafford-Clark2002 – Shakespeare's Globe1998 – Nicole Kidman for The Blue Room1989 – Stephen Sondheim1988 – National Theatre 1963–1988: 25 Years of Achievement1984 – Graeae Theatre Company sharing with The Theatre of Comedy Company1982 – John Gielgud1981 – The Royal Shakespeare Company1980 – Sir Ralph Richardson1979 – 25th Anniversary Special Award: Sir Peter Hall1977 – Hampstead Theatre1976 – Peggy Ashcroft1975 – Ben Travers1973 – Laurence Olivier1972 – Peter Daubeny (Impresario and organizer of the annual World Theatre Season, Aldwych Theatre 1967–1973)1968 – Alan Bennett for Forty Years On (First award in this category)2013 – Maggie Smith2012 – Judi Dench2011 – Sir Tom Stoppard2010 – Sir Peter Hall2014 – Here Lies Love2013 – BBC Proms 20132012 – Danny Boyle and his teams for the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympics2011 – Pet Shop Boys and Javier de Frutos for The Most Incredible Thing2013 – Cush Jumbo for Josephine and I2016 - Glenn Close for Sunset Boulevard2015 – Imelda Staunton for Gypsy: A Musical Fable2013 – Rosalie Craig for The Light Princess2013 – David Walliams for A Midsummer Night's Dream2014 – Skylight