Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2015: Full winners list

The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2015 were hosted today, Tuesday 26th January 2016, by the Critics’ Circle Drama Section Chairman Mark Shenton, at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

As ever, the ceremony was an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics’ personal choice of the best theatre from throughout the UK during the last calendar year. Comedian Arthur Smith introduced proceedings with his own inimitable style, as has become a well-loved tradition.

Winners List

Best New Play: Hangmen by Martin McDonagh

Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, London, followed by transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Best Musical [new or revival]: Bend It Like Beckham

Phoenix Theatre, London

Best Actor: Kenneth Cranham in The Father

Bath Theatre Royal Ustinov Studio & Tricycle Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, London and 2016 transfer to Duke of York’s Theatre, London and UK tour

Best Actress: Denise Gough in People, Places and Things

Dorfman Theatre at the National, London, followed by 2016 transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Best Shakespearean Performance: Judi Dench in The Winter’s Tale

Garrick Theatre, London

Best Director: Robert Icke for Oresteia

Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Trafalgar Studios, London

Best Designer: Anna Fleischle for Hangmen

Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, London, followed by transfer to Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Most Promising Playwright: James Fritz for Four minutes twelve seconds

Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, London & Trafalgar Studios, London

Most Promising Newcomer [other than a playwright]: David Moorst in Violence and Son

Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, London

Since the Awards’ inception in 1989 the theatre critics, consisting entirely of respected and influential working journalists, have prided themselves on offering something unique on the packed theatre awards circuit: each member of the Drama Section independently casts their vote based on personal choice, free of any discussion or industry influence, ensuring a highly democratic voting process.

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