2017 West End Wilma Awards to be Held at London's Delfont Room; Categories Announced!

Theatre Blogger West End Wilma is delighted to announce that the fourth annual West End Wilma Awards (this year in association with Free@Last TV Ltd) will take place on Friday 3 November, 2pm at London's Delfont Room (Prince of Wales Theatre).

westendwilma.com is the mother/son blogging venture that has been taking over London's theatre scene for the last five years, interviewing stars of the stage and reviewing all the latest productions. The 2016 awards was a star-studded event, with guests including Sam Bailey, Lesley Joseph, Kerry Ellis, Rachel Tucker, Mazz Murray, Martina Cole, Cassidy Jansen and Tracie Bennett. For all the winners of the 2016 awards and photos from the event check out http://www.westendwilma.com/wilma-awards-2016-winners/

2017 West End Wilma Awards Categories

Best Comedy Show (Sponsored by JHI Marketing)

Rising Star Award (Sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe)

Best Touring Production

Best Cabaret/Solo Performance (Sponsored by Royal Vauxhall Tavern)

Best Understudy

Actor/Actress In An Off-West End Show

Best Actor/Actress In A West End Show

Best West End Show (Sponsored by TodayTix)

Best Off West End Show (Sponsored by The Charing Cross Theatre)

Achievement In Creating Accessible Theatre Award

This year sees the Wilma Awards go gender neutral, combining male and female actors into the same categories. Wilma said: "it feels like by separating men and women out we are saying that they are not equal to one another which is simply not true."

Also this year sees the introduction of the Achievement In Creating Accessible Theatre Award, recognising venues who not only ensure they are fully wheelchair accessible but also provide a good programme of adapted performances for those with disabilities that may mean they are unable to attend regular performances. Wilma said: "I have been doing a lot of fund raising over the past year for the National Autistic Society who work to stage Relaxed/Autism Friendly Performances of Theatre shows around the UK and I feel we should recognise those theatre's who are excelling in programming fully accessible seasons."

The shortlisted nominees will be announced on 11 August 2017 and are decided by West End Wilma and reviewing team of over forty people who have reviewed more than 500 theatre productions over the past twelve months (and seen many more for their own pleasure).

A limited number of tickets have gone on sale to the public this morning (£20 each) for those who would like to mingle with the nominees and see the winners announced live at this super stagey event. Tickets on sale now https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/tickets/west-end-wilma-awards-2017/.