Actors Jazz Lintott, Toyin Ayedun-Alase and Kyrelle Lammy win multiple awards at the Black British Theatre Awards 2023
On Sunday 29 October 2023, the Black British Theatre Awards 2023 took place at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre in Southbank, London. This is the fifth awards ceremony since the Black British Theatre Awards was established to highlight and celebrate the influence of Black performers and creatives in the UK theatre industry.
There was much for everyone to be excited about on the night, especially for young performer and Spotlight member Kyrelle Lammy, who took home the Disability Champion Award (sponsored by Spotlight) and the Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical Award.
Spotlight member Jazz Lintott and Frank Skully also had multiple successes, winning Best Producer and (along with the rest of their team) Best Production – Play for Going for Gold – based on the inspiring and true story of Frankie Lucas. Lintott also picked up the Best Male Lead Actor in a Play Award for his portrayal of the famous boxer, whilst Spotlight member Toyin Ayedun-Alase won Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play and Best Female Lead Actor in a Play for her roles in Alice in Wonderland and The Clinic respectively.
Other Spotlight members who we were thrilled to see recognised include Christian Alifoe, Phoebe Campbell, Elesha Paul Moses, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Claudia Kariuki, Leah Vassell, Myles Hart and Cedric Neal, who opened the ceremony with an excellent performance of ‘Hold Me in Your Heart’ from Kinky Boots the Musical.
Without further ado, here is the full list of winners from this year’s Black British Theatre Awards:
Plays
Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play Award:
- Toyin Ayedun-Alase for Alice in Wonderland (Brixton House Theatre) – WINNER
- Bola Akeju for School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre)
- Sasha Frost for Noises Off (UK Tour)
Best Supporting Male Actor in a Play Award:
- Christian Alifoe for Sucker Punch (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Khai Shaw for Alice in Wonderland (Brixton House Theatre)
- Fode Simbo for Under the Kundè Tree (Southwark Playhouse Theatre)
Best Female Lead Actor in a Play Award (sponsored by Black British Initiative):
- Toyin Ayedun-Alase for The Clinic (Almeida Theatre) – WINNER
- Aminita Francis for Family Tree (UK Tour)
- Kibong Tanji for Recognition (Talawa Theatre Company)
Best Male Lead Actor in a Play Award:
- Jazz Lintott for Going for Gold (UK Tour) – WINNER
- David Alade for Sunny Side Up (Theatre Peckham)
- Gamba Cole for Housemates Returns: Chicken Burger N Chips (Brixton House Theatre)
Best Non Binary Performer in a Play Award:
- Phoebe Campbell for The Importance of Being Earnest (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Sam Crerar for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe)
- Travis Alabanza for Burgerz (Southbank Centre)
Best Production – Play Award (sponsored by The Dang Studios):
- Going For Gold (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Tambo and Bones (Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (UK Tour)
Musicals
Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical Award (sponsored by Link Artists):
- Billie-Kay Payne for Annie the Musical (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Charis Alexandra for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre)
- Irene Myrtle Forrester for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre)
Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical Award (sponsored by Link Artists):
- Kyrelle Lammy for Nativity: The Musical (Birmingham Repertory Theatre) – WINNER
- Jay Perry for Sylvia (The Old Vic)
- Kylan Denis for Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre)
Best Female Lead Actor in a Musical Award (sponsored by Burlesque the Musical and Adama Entertainment):
- Elesha Paul Moses for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre) – WINNER
- Heidi Williams for Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre)
- Nicole-Lily Baisden for 42nd Street (Sadler’s Wells Theatre)
Best Male Lead Actor in a Musical Award (sponsored by MJ the Musical):
- Michael Ahomka-Lindsay for Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) – WINNER
- Caleb Roberts for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre)
- Owen Chaponda for The Lion King (The Lyceum Theatre)
Best Non Binary Performer in a Musical Award:
- Claudia Kariuki for Six the Musical (Vaudeville Theatre) – WINNER
- Alex Thomas-Smith for & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre)
Best Musical Production Award (sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment):
- Sylvia (The Old Vic) – WINNER
- The Color Purple (UK Tour)
- Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre)
Creatives Group
Best Director Award (sponsored by Disney Theatrical Group):
- Mya Onwugbonu for Hear Me Now (Southwark Playhouse Theatre) – WINNER
- Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest (UK Tour)
- Matthew Xia for Tambo and Bones (Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East)
Best Producer Award (sponsored by Disney Theatrical Group):
- Jazz Lintott and Frank Skully for Going for Gold (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Ben Quashie for Alice in Wonderland (Brixton House Theatre)
- Shereener Browne for PlayFight (Pleasance Theatre and Seven Dials Playhouse)
Best Musical Director Award:
- Sean Green for Sylvia (The Old Vic Theatre) – WINNER
- Ian Oakley for The Color Purple (UK Tour)
- Sean Mayes for Mandela (The Young Vic)
Best Choreographer or Movement Director Award (sponsored by Italia Conti):
- Mthuthuzeli November for Nina: By Whatever Means (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Kloe Dean for Tambo & Bones (Actors Touring Company and Theatre Royal Stratford East)
- Tinovimbanashe Sibanda for The Importance of Being Earnest (UK Tour)
Best Opera Production or Performance Award:
- Nadine Benjamin for Blue (English National Opera) – WINNER
- April Koyejo-Audiger for The Magic Flute (UK Tour)
- English National Opera for Blue (English National Opera)
Best Dance Production or Performance Award:
- Isabela Coracy for Nina: By Whatever Means (UK Tour) – WINNER
- Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black for Nina: By Whatever Means (UK Tour)
- Tonyé Scott-Obené for I Am Here (UK Tour)
Recognition Group (Body of Work)
Lighting Design Recognition Award (sponsored by The Harrix Group):
- Joshie Harriette – WINNER
- Simeon Miller
- Simisola Majekodunmi
Sound Design Recognition Award:
- Xana – WINNER
- Rasaq Kukoyi
- Tony Gayle
Theatre Design Recognition Award (sponsored by Black Apron):
- Debbie Duru – WINNER
- Fay Fullerton
- Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey
Playwright Recognition Award:
- Adenike Ojo – WINNER
- David Alade
- Matilda Feyiṣayọ Ibini
Book and Lyrics Recognition Award:
- Gerel Falconer – WINNER
Achievement Awards
Best Recent Graduate Award (sponsored by Guildford School of Acting):
- Leah Vassell, ArtsEd – WINNER
- Charis Alexandra, ArtsEd
- Jenna Bonner, ArtsEd
Best Teacher Award (sponsored by Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts):
- Erina Lewis, Platinum Academy – WINNER
- Billy Luke Nevers – Helen Hawkins Dance Company
- Nadine Kennedy Wood – NDC College
Disability Champion Award (sponsored by Spotlight):
- Kyrelle Lammy – WINNER
LGBTQIA+ Champion Award (sponsored by Bird College):
- Myles Hart – WINNER
- Claudia Kariuki
- Daniel Jacob
The Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick Award (for outstanding work within the industry over the last year, sponsored by Lord Hastings)
- Cedric Neal – WINNER
Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by The Dang Studios):
- Yvonne Jones Brewster OBE – WINNER
From all of us at Spotlight, a massive congratulations to all the winners and nominees! For more awards news and acting advice, take a look at our website.
