by Killing Eve star Jodie Comer’s electrifying West End debut saw her shortlisted for Best Actress at this year’s Evening Standard Theater Awards.
The awards return this year after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.
Comer wowed the judges by playing a lawyer in Prima Facie, a solo show that explores how the legal system disappoints victims of sexual assault, and is running alongside stars including Sheila Atim, for her appearance in Constellations, and The Game of Thrones starred Indira Varma, who was honored for her role in The Seagull.
The shortlist is completed by US actress Samira Wiley, best known for Orange is the New Black and The Handmaid’s Tale, and Ronke Adekoluejo with both women acclaimed for their roles in National Theater’s Blues for An Alabama Sky.
Their co-star Giles Terera, who won a spot on the shortlist for Best Actor, is also recognized, along with Shubham Saraf who starred in another National Theater play – The Father and Killer on the Mahatma Murder. Gandhi.
James McAvoy’s performance as the title character in Cyrano de Bergerac earns him a spot among the contenders, while Lennie James and Paapa Essiedu are included for playing father and son in Caryl Churchill’s A Number at the Old Vic.
Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of nightclub singer Sally Bowles in Cabaret sees her shortlisted for Best Musical Performance. She faces competition from Arinzé Kene, who played reggae superstar Bob Marley in Stand Up !, as well as two of the stars of Young Vic’s Oklahoma! – Patrick Vaill and Marisha Wallace – with Broadway veteran Sutton Foster recognized for Anything Goes at the Barbican. All four shows are in the running for best musical with Spring Awakening at Almeida completing the shortlist.
Nominations for Best Play include posthumous recognition for writer Hilary Mantel who, together with actor Ben Miles, staged her novel The Mirror and the Light. Shortlisted also include James Graham for Best of Enemies at the Young Vic, Paula Vogel for Indecent, Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch (for which Francis Lovehall is nominated for emerging talent) and Anupama Chandrasekhar for The Father and the murderer.
Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev said: “I am thrilled to be celebrating the best of London theater after two difficult years. It is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of our creatives who have been able to continue making brilliant shows in the most difficult moments. “
The winners will be celebrated at a private dinner this year on December 11th and announced in the newspaper the following day
