Just months after he made his dream professional debut in the West End’s Dear Evan Hansen, Sam Tutty is celebrating again as the winner of The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer.
Currently playing to packed houses at the Noel Coward Theatre, Tutty received his award at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards’ ceremony at London’s Prince of Wales theatre today (11 February 2020).
The other major genre winner of the day was hit show Come From Away which added another award to its already bulging trophy cabinet, The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical.
Hosted by Critics’ Circle Drama Section chairman, Henry Hitchings, chief theatre critic of the London Evening Standard, the top acting honours went to Andrew Scott (Best Actor for Present Laughter, Old Vic) and Sharon D Clarke (Death of a Salesman, Young Vic and Piccadilly Theatre) and Juliet Stevenson (The Doctor, Almeida Theatre) who shard the Best Actress Award. The Best Director Award went to Jamie Lloyd for his work on Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (The Playhouse Theatre) and the Regent’s Park Open Air production of Evita.
Launched in 1989, the awards involve each member of the Drama Section of the Critics’ Circle independently casting their votes based on their own personal choices.
One of the most popular events in the theatre awards calendar, the informal gathering brings together drama critics, performers, theatre practitioners for an afternoon celebrating the best of UK theatre.
This year’s Special Award for Services to Theatre went to leading lighting designer Paule Constable (War Horse, Follies).
The Awards are presented in association with long-time headline sponsor Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists. They are also generously supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (now involved for a 16th year).
The awards are produced by leading industry figure Terri Paddock. She co-founded and ran WhatsOnStage.com from 1997 to 2013, including founding the WhatsOnStage Awards. More recently, Terri has founded groundbreaking musical theatre social media directory www.stagefaves.com (@StageFaves) and independent theatre bloggers portal www.mytheatremates.com (@MyTheatreMates) with Mark Shenton.
Angela Thomas
Tickets for Come From Away are available HERE.