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| Carolyn Maitland |
We are thrilled to announce that Carolyn Maitland has won West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award 2014 for understudying Ellen in Cameron Mackintosh's West End revival of Miss Saigon.
Over 8,000 votes were counted and Maitland wins with an impressive 27% of the final vote.
Miss Saigon began previews at the Prince Edward Theatre on Saturday 3rd May 2014. Before the production had officially opened Maitland was called on for Ellen at the last minute, performing in front of the creative team with little rehearsal to huge acclaim.
Speaking to West End Frame, Carolyn said: "I am extremely proud to have won Understudy of the Year 2014, especially alongside so many strong and incredible understudies, alternates and standbys.
"It's such a pleasure and an honour to cover Ellen in such an iconic musical. Gaining acknowledgement for this means so much to me. Thank you to all who voted and to everyone supporting all the understudies throughout the theatre world!"
Maitland received huge acclaim for understudying Hannah Waddingham in Kiss Me Kate (Chichester/Old Vic). She has understudied countless roles including Karen Holmes in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury), Vivienne & Serena in Legally Blonde (Savoy), Lucy Harris in Jekyll & Hyde (UK Tour), Gabriella & Taylor in High School Musical 2 (UK Tour) and Serena, Mabel & Miss Bell in Fame (UK Tour).
The actress' co-star Tanya Manalang, who alternates the role of Kim, finishes second - marking only the second time performers from the same show have finished first and second place in a West End Frame Award. The Phantom of the Opera's Layla Harrison (Understudy Meg) comes third alongside Billy Elliot's Gillian Elisa (Alternate Grandma) and Les Miserables' Jade Davies (Understudy Cosette) who finish fourth and fifth respectively. Click here to view the full result.
Andrew Tomlins (Editor of West End Frame) said: "The response to Understudy of the Year 2014 has been overwhelming. It has been incredible to see so much support for some of theatre's most talented yet unrecognised stars. Several of the nominees have been in touch and told me they have been working in the industry for over twenty years but, prior to Understudy of the Year, have never been nominated for anything. Thank you to everybody who voted and supported."
Understudy of the Year is a celebration of standbys, alternates and understudies, without whom the West End wouldn’t be able to function.
Last year the award was won by Ashley Day for understudying Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. Top Hat's Alan Burkitt finished second whilst Wicked's Hayley Gallivan finished third. In 2012 Katy Treharne won Understudy of the Year for alternating Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. Chicago's Jenny Gayner came second and We Will Rock You's Lauren Varnham came third.
Understudy of the Year runs as part of the 2014 West End Frame Awards. Unlike other theatre awards, West End Frame only opens voting for one category at a time and combines male and female actors from musicals and plays into the same categories (where applicable).
The 2014 West End Frame Awards began in March, with The Book of Mormon winning Funniest West End Show. In May Tam Mutu picked up our Best Performance of a Song in a Musical award for his rendition of Stars in Les Miserables.
Voting for the next 2014 West End Frame Award will open in August. Further information will be announced shortly.
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