Award Night Fever

It's been a few weeks since my last post with all sorts going on in and around London's theatre community. The What'sOnStage Awards may have offered few surprises in terms of winners and it was great to see the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and David Walliams turn up to collect their awards. However Danielle Tarento, accepting the award for Best Fringe Production (Titanic) reiterated the dire need for musical directors recognition at these events. A fact musical director Tom Deering then appeared to hammer home by promptly falling into the orchestra pit. It stopped the show but Trouper Deering clambered back on stage to see the rest of the evening out before heading off to A&E.

Before Mr Deering had even time to rest his aching baton, the great and the good turned up at the (thoughtfully child-proofed) Unicorn Theatre for the Off-West End Awards. Boasting less of a star turn-out this year the awards celebrate all that is great and good in London's independent and Fringe venues. Having sat on the judging panel for the Offies, it is intriguing to see how they have progressed and to note patterns that have emerged as the theatrical landscape changes. Congratulations to all the winners, not least Danielle Tarento and Thom Southerland for the Titanic again and also Michael Strassen for his Best Director nod for the work he did on Billy!

Sadly all of this award-winning glamour was eclipsed within 24 hours by one woman - Adele Dazeem - oh well, bring on the Oliviers!