Award success for Chichester Festival Theatre

Published: 3 November 2012
Reporter: Sheila Connor

Michael Ball as Sweeney Todd and Imelda Staunton as Mrs Lovett

Two of the theatre’s productions have won prestigious industry awards this year.

At the TMA’s Theatre Awards UK ceremony on Sunday 28th October, Imelda Staunton won Best Performance in a Musical for her portrayal of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, first staged at Chichester during Festival 2011 before transferring to the West End earlier this year.

Co-star Michael Ball, who was also up for the award, said “I had the best time playing Ernie to her Eric”, before going on to read Staunton’s words “I’m totally indebted to the wonderful Jonathan Kent for his superb direction”.

Henry Goodman received the award for Best Performance in a Play in the title role of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, staged during Festival 2012.

The Festival Theatre’s artistic director said “It’s wonderful to receive this recognition of Imelda and Henry’s extraordinary and unforgettable performances in these extremely demanding and complex roles. This is the Festival Theatre’s 50th year and to win these accolades feels like a fitting conclusion to Festival 2012”.

The theatre also received nominations for the following:

  • Best New Play—South Downs by David Hare.
  • Best Musical Production—Sweeney Todd, directed by Jonathan Kent.
  • Best Performance in a Musical—Michael Ball in Sweeney Todd.

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