Nominees announced for inaugural Black British Theatre Awards!

Posted on (Updated on 9 Oct 2023)
The West End is finally getting the diversity it deserves with the arrival of the** inaugural Black British Theatre Awards**, which will recognise black talent in the performing arts all across the UK. The shortlist has just been released today for the all-new ceremony, which is set to be held **on 27 October 2019**. Among the big-name nominees are [***Death of a Salesman***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4193/death-of-a-salesman-tickets.aspx) actress **Sharon D Clarke** for her roles in both *DoaS* and *Caroline, or Change*, [**Arinzé Kene**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/spotlight-on-misty-star-arinze-kene) for his monologue *Misty*, **Layton Williams** for his portrayal of Jamie New, and **Natasha Gordon** for her record-smashing play, [***Nine Night***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/natasha-gordons-nine-night-reminds-us-why-its-important-to-support-new-playwrights). Read the nominees in full below!


### 2019 Black British Theatre Awards – and the nominees are... The new Black British Theatre Awards features five different award groups (Recognition, Creatives, Plays, Musicals, Achievements), each with their own set of categories. The Recognition Group is designated for awards for a complete body of work and not a particular work.  Here is the full list of nominees below. ### **Plays**
**Best Male** Aaron Pierre, *King Hedley II* Arinzé Kene, *Misty* Kwami Odoom, *The Half God of Rainfall*
**Best Female** Gloria Williams, *Bullet Hole* Rakie Ayola, *The Half God of Rainfall* Sharon D Clarke, *Death of a Salesman*
**Best Supporting Male in a Play** Lenny Henry, *King Hedley II* Osy Ikhile, *Sweat* Sule Rimi,* All My Sons*
**Best Supporting Female in a Play** Cherrelle Skeete, *King Hedley II* Martina Laird, *King Hedley II* Michelle Greenidge, *Nine Night*
**Best Play** *Nine Night Small Island The Half God of Rainfall*
### **Musicals**
**Best Male** Jay Perry, *Motown* Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, [***TINA: The Tina Turner Musical***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2589/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets.aspx) Layton Williams, [***Everybody’s Talking About Jamie***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2756/everybodys-talking-about-jamie-tickets.aspx)
**Best Female** Maiya Quansah-Breed, [***SIX***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2983/six-tickets.aspx) Rachel John, *Hamilton* Sharon D Clarke, *Caroline, or Change*
**Best Supporting Male** Arun Blair-Mangat, *Leave to Remain* Cavin Cornwall, *Jesus Christ Superstar* Jason Pennycooke, *Hamilton*
**Best Supporting Female** Amara Okereke, [***Les Miserables***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/197/les-miserables-tickets.aspx) Beverley Knight, *Sylvia* Kelly Agbowu, [***Waitress***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx) Madeline Appiah, *Tina: The Tina Turner Musical*
**Best Musical** *Hamilton Motown TINA: The Tina Turner Musical*
### **Achievement awards**
**Best Teacher of Performing Arts** Angeline Bell, Urdang Academy Dollie Henry, Trinity Laban
**Best Recent Graduate** Amara Okereke, Arts Educational Schools London Maiya Quansah-Breed, Guildford School of Acting
**Lifetime Recognition Award** Sharon D Clarke
### **Creatives Group**
**Best Director** Lynette Linton, *Sweat* Nancy Medina,* The Half God of Rainfall* Roy Alexander Weise, *Nine Night*
**Best Producer** Tobi Kyeremateng for *Babylon Festival*, [**Bush Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/150/bush-theatre.aspx)
**Best Choreographer** Alesandra Seutin, *Reckonings*, [**Sadler’s Wells**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/72/sadlers-wells.aspx) Rachael Nanyonjo, *Sleeping Beauty,* [**Theatre Royal Stratford East**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/107/theatre-royal-stratford-east.aspx) Shelley Maxwell, *Equus*
**Best Opera Production** *Porgy and Bess*, [**ENO**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/english-national-opera)
**Best Performance in a Dance Production** Carlos Acosta, *Don Quixote* Precious Adams, *Manon* by [**English National Ballet**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/english-national-ballet) Prentice Whitlow, *The Rite of Spring *by Phoenix Dance Theatre
**Best Dance Production** *Sylvia*, Zoonation *The Suit/Dream Within a Midsummer Night’s Dream*, Ballet Black *The Rite of Spring*, Phoenix Dance Theatre
### **Recognition Group**
**Book and Lyrics** Arinzé Kene Debbie Tucker Green Inua Ellams
**Light and Sound** Tony Gayle
**Musical Director** Benjamin Kwasi Burrell Michael Henry Sean Green
**Set Design** Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
## Have you seen these Black British Theatre Award-nominated shows? Be sure to catch some of these award-nominated [West End shows](https://www.londontheatredirect.com) that are now currently booking with some on special offer!
🎫 [**Book *Death of a Salesman* Piccadilly Theatre* *tickets from £24**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4193/death-of-a-salesman-tickets.aspx).
🎫 [**Book *TINA: The Tina Turner Musical* tickets and save £14**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2589/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets.aspx)!
🎫 [**Book *Everybody's Talking About Jamie* Apollo Theatre tickets from £24**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2756/everybodys-talking-about-jamie-tickets.aspx).
🎫 [**Book *Les Miserables* Sondheim Theatre tickets from £33**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/197/les-miserables-tickets.aspx).
🎫 [**Book *Waitress* Adelphi Theatre tickets from £24**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/3309/waitress-tickets.aspx).
🎫 [**Book *SIX* Arts Theatre tickets from £22**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2983/six-tickets.aspx).

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By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

Ephram is a jack of all trades and enjoys attending theatre, classical music concerts and the opera.