JERUSALEM, ENRON, Jude Law et al. Honored with Critics Circle Theatre Awards

The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2010 were hosted today by its Chairman, Mark Shenton, theatre critic for the Sunday Express and daily blogger for The Stage website at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. For the sixth year, the awards were presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists; and supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and lastminute.com.

As ever, the ceremony was an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners, and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics' personal choice of the best in theatre, from throughout the UK, during the last calendar year. In contrast with other theatre awards during this jam-packed trophy season, the Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners are always decided by the independent votes of Drama Section members, with no panel discussions or public/industry influence exerted.

THE CRITICS' CIRCLE THEATRE AWARDS 2009

WINNERS

Best New Play: Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court, London
award presented to Jez Butterworth by Kate Bassett: Independent on Sunday

The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical (new or revival): Spring Awakening
Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, London, followed by transfer to Novello Theatre, London
award presented to the producers of Spring Awakening by Ian Shuttleworth: Financial Times & Theatre Record

Best Actor: Mark Rylance in Jerusalem
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court, London
award presented to Mark Rylance by Benedict Nightingale: The Times

Best Actress: Rachel Weisz in A Streetcar Named Desire
Donmar Warehouse, London
award presented to Rachel Weisz by Fiona Mountford: Evening Standard

The John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance: Jude Law in Hamlet
Donmar at Wyndham's Theatre, London
award presented to Jude Law by Claire Allfree: London Metro

Best Director: Rupert Goold for Enron
Headlong at Minerva Theatre, Chichester & Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court, London
award presented to Rupert Goold by Charles Spencer: Daily Telegraph

Best Designer: Christopher Oram for Red
Donmar Warehouse, London
award presented to Christopher Oram by Susannah Clapp: The Observer

Most Promising Playwright: Alia Bano for Shades
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court, London
award presented to Alia Bano by Michael Billington: The Guardian

The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer (other than a playwright): Tom Sturridge in Punk Rock
Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, London and Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
award presented to Tom Sturridge by David Benedict: Variety