Best West End Debut 2016: Full result

Anthony Boyle has won West End Frame's 2016 Best West End Debut Award for his performance as Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Newton Faulkner finishes second for making his West End debut as Johnny in American Idiot whilst Suzie Mathers (Glinda/Wicked) finished third.

Last year's Best West End Debut Award was won by Matt Cardle for making his West End debut in Memphis. Previous winners also include Willemijn Verkaik (Wicked), Zrinka Cvitešić (Once) and Shayne Ward (Rock Of Ages).

WINNER

Anthony Boyle 

Scorpius Malfoy 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
35% of the final vote

Anthony Boyle wins Best West End Debut 2016

We're delighted to announce that Anthony Boyle has won West End Frame's 2016 Best West End Debut for his performance as Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Speaking to West End Frame, Boyle said: "Thank you West End Frame and the audience who have voted for this award. It's such a honour to play Scorpius Malfoy in this truly wonderful play, and knowing that the dedicated fans have reacted so positively means a great deal to me."

Boyle received huge acclaim for making his West End debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child earlier this year. His previous theatre credits include: Herons (Lyric Theatre Belfast) and East Belfast Boy, which he co-wrote (Ballymac Friendship Centre). On screen he has appeared in Game of Thrones, The Journey, City of Lost Z and The Party.

VOTE: Best West End Debut 2016

Voting is open for Best West End Debut 2016, the final West End Frame Award! Voting opened at 2pm on Friday 23rd September and closes on Wednesday 28th September 2016 at 3pm. This award is a celebration of the West End's newest talent. 

'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram and 'Like' us on Facebook for exclusive updates during the voting period and to be the first to find out when the result is announced on Thursday 29th September 2016. Please note, the result can be previewed until Monday 26th September 2016.

Nominees announced for Best West End Debut 2016!

Nominees have been announced for Best West End Debut 2016, the final West End Frame Award. Voting opens later today (23rd September) at 2pm and closes on Wednesday 28th September 2016 at 3pm. 

The nominees are: Alexandra Ncube (Nabulungi/The Book of Mormon), Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy/Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Cedric Neal (Berry Gordy/Motown The Musical), Daisy Alice Hulbert (Meg Giry/The Phantom of the Opera), Declan Egan (Bob Gaudio/Jersey Boys), Elena Skye (Lauren/Kinky Boots), Jemma Revell (Ali/Mamma Mia!), Jeremy Lloyd (Officer Randal Shuck/The Comedy About A Bank Robbery), Joanne Ferguson (Annie/The Play That Goes Wrong), Joseph Ayre (Christopher Boone/Curious Incident), Matt Connor (The Actor/The Woman In Black), Newton Faulkner (Johnny/American Idiot), Nicholas Afoa (Simba/The Lion King), Suzie Mathers (Glinda/Wicked) and Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie/Aladdin). 

Details announced for final West End Frame Award

We are delighted to announced that voting for Best West End Debut 2016 will open tomorrow (Friday 23rd September).

Marking the final West End Frame Award, nominations will be announced tomorrow morning before voting opens at 2pm. Voting will close on Wednesday 28th September 2016. 

Best West End Debut 2015: Full Result

Matt Cardle has won West End Frame's Best West End Debut Award for his performance as Huey Calhoun in Memphis The Musical. Danny Horn (Ray Davies/Sunny Afternoon) finishes second whilst Marcquelle Ward (Rum Tum Tugger/Cats) comes third. Check out the full result below!

Last year’s Best West End Debut Award was won by Dutch actress Willemijn Verkaik for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked. Previous winners also include international star Zrinka Cvitešić (Girl/Once) and X Factor UK champion Shayne Ward (Stacee Jaxx/Rock Of Ages).

WINNER

Matt Cardle

41% of the final vote

Speaking to West End Frame, Cardle said: "Thank you so much to every single person who not only took time to come and see Memphis but to vote for me too. I had so much fun playing Huey Calhoun at the Shaftesbury Theatre this summer. 

Matt Cardle wins Best West End Debut Award!

We are delighted to announce that Matt Cardle has won West End Frame's Best West End Debut Award for his performance as Huey Calhoun in Memphis The Musical.

Speaking to West End Frame, Cardle said: "Thank you so much to every single person who not only took time to come and see Memphis but to vote for me too. I had so much fun playing Huey Calhoun at the Shaftesbury Theatre this summer. 

"I’d like to say a huge big thank you to the whole Memphis company who welcomed me with open arms from day one of rehearsals. I admit I was a petrified little boy! You became family to me and I couldn’t have got through my sweat-drenched opening night without every single one of you! 

"Beverly Knight and Rachel John; it was a complete honour to have shared my West End stage debut with your incredible vocal and acting talents. May the incredible story of Memphis continue to inspire for a lifetime to come."

Cardle took over from Killian Donnelly as Huey for the final months of Memphis' West End run, starring opposite both Beverley Knight and Rachel John. Since winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, Cardle has become a multi-platinum recording artist who has sold over 2.2 million records in the UK and completed five sell-out tours. 

VOTE: Best West End Debut 2015

Voting is open for West End Frame's 2015 Best West End Debut Award!

Voting opened on Wednesday 18th November 2015 at 1pm and will close on Monday 30th November 2015 at 3pm. The award is a celebration of the West End’s newest talent.

'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram and 'Like' us on Facebook for exclusive updates during the voting period and to be the first to find out when the result is announced on Wednesday 2nd December 2015. The result can be previewed until Tuesday 24th November 2015.

Nominees announced for Best West End Debut Award 2015

Nominees have been announced for West End Frame's 2015 Best West End Debut Award.

Running as part of the 2015 West End Frame Awards, voting for Best West End Debut opens at 1pm today (18th November 2015), coinciding with #LoveTheatreDay. 

Voting closes at 3pm on Monday 30th November 2015 and the result will be announced on Wednesday 2nd December 2015.

The nominees are: Amelia Lily (Whatsername/American Idiot), Brian Sears (Elder Cunningham/The Book of Mormon), Chris Peluso (Chris/Miss Saigon), Danny Horn (Ray Davies/Sunny Afternoon), Gabriella Williams (Sophie Sheridan/Mamma Mia!), James Backway (Albert Narracott/War Horse), Jamie Campbell Bower (Joe/Bend It Like Beckham), Jessica Brown Findlay (Elektra/Oresteia), Kyle Riabko (Close To You: Bacharach Reimagined), Marcquelle Ward (Rum Tum Tugger/Cats), Matt Cardle (Huey Calhoun/Memphis) and Tom McGowan (The Wizard/Wicked).

**VOTING IS NOW OPEN**

Click here to vote now

Details announced for Best West End Debut 2015

We are delighted to announce details for West End Frame's 2015 Best West End Debut Award.

Running as part of the 2015 West End Frame Awards, voting for Best West End Debut opens at 1pm on Wednesday 18th November 2015. Voting closes at 3pm on Monday 30th November 2015 and the result will be announced on Wednesday 2nd December 2015. 

Unlike other theatre awards, West End Frame only opens voting for one category at a time and combines male and female actors from new and long-running productions into the same categories (where applicable). This award is a celebration of the West End’s newest talent.

UPDATE: Nominees have been announced

Best West End Debut 2014: Full Result

Willemijn Verkaik has won the 2014 West End Frame Award for Best West End Debut. She wins for her performance as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Speaking to West End Frame, Willemijn said: "Wow, this is really amazing and I'm truly touched. To play the role in the West End was such an honour and everyone knows it wasn't easy having to leave the show prematurely, but I always felt such support from all of you. I'm working very hard to get back into shape, and to receive this award is as if you're all there with me climbing that mountain. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!"

Andrew Tomlins (Editor of West End Frame) said: "We have seen some spectacular West End debuts over the past year and it has been inspiring to see so much support for our nominees who are fresh out of drama school as well as those who are internationally recognised superstars. There was a ridiculous amount of talent on the list of nominees and I would like to thank everybody who voted."

Best West End Debut runs as part of the 2014 West End Frame Awards. Click here for further information and check out the full result below:

WINNER

Willemijn Verkaik

Elphaba / Wicked 

26% of the final vote

Willemijn Verkaik wins Best West End Debut Award

We are delighted to announce that Willemijn Verkaik has won our Best West End Debut Award as part of the 2014 West End Frame Awards. The Dutch actress wins for her West End Debut as Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Speaking to West End Frame, Willemijn said: "Wow, this is really amazing and I'm truly touched. To play the role in the West End was such an honour and everyone knows it wasn't easy having to leave the show prematurely, but I always felt such support from all of you. 

"I'm working very hard to get back into shape, and to receive this award is as if you're all there with me climbing that mountain. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!"

Willemijn originated the role of Elphaba in the German and Dutch productions of Wicked before transferring to the Broadway production. She is the only actress to have played the iconic part in three different languages. Willemijn, who has also led the international casts of We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia, recently voiced the role of Elsa in the German and Dutch language versions of Disney's Frozen which is the most successful animated film of all time. 

Rachelle Ann Go finishes second for her West End debut as Gigi in Cameron Mackintosh's West End revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. She is a well-known pop star and actress from the Philippines. Rachelle made her theatrical debut as Ariel in the Atlantis production of Disney’s Little Mermaid in 2011. She later played Jane Porter in a musical adaptation of Tarzan.

VOTE: Best West End Debut 2014

Voting is now open for our 2014 Best West End Debut Award. 

Voting opened on Monday 8th September at 11am and must close at 3pm on Friday 26th September. The result can be previewed until Tuesday 16th September and the result will be announced on Monday 29th September 2014.

Click here to find out who won

Last year’s Best West End Debut Award was won by international star Zrinka Cvitešić for her performance in Once. In 2012 the Award was won by X Factor UK winner Shayne Ward for his West End debut in Rock Of Ages.

Best West End Debut 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). This award is a celebration of the West End’s newest talent.

Nominees announced for Best West End Debut Award 2014

We are delighted to announce the full list of nominees for our 2014 Best West End Debut Award!

Voting for Best West End Debut, which runs as part of the 2014 West End Frame Awards, opens tomorrow morning (Monday 8th September) at 11am (please note the new time) and closes at 3pm on Friday 26th September.

Voting is now open. Click here to vote now!

Last year’s Best West End Debut Award was won by international star Zrinka Cvitešić for her performance in Once. In 2012 the Award was won by X Factor UK winner Shayne Ward for his performance in Rock Of Ages.

Details announced for next West End Frame Award!

We are delighted to confirm the details of the next West End Frame Award!

Voting for our Best West End Debut Award (which runs as part of the 2014 West End Frame Awards) will open at 1pm on Monday 8th September and close at 3pm on Friday 26th September. 

Once voting has opened, voters should visit our Awards Page. The result can be previewed until Tuesday 16th September and the result will be announced on Monday 29th September 2014.

Big Interview: Zrinka Cvitešić

Croatian born Zrinka Cvitešić is currently starring as ‘Girl’ in the West End premiere of Once at the Phoenix Theatre. After receiving rave reviews for her performance, last month Zrinka was nominated for a West End Frame Award for Best West End Debut. Following an exciting two week voting period is was revealed that Zrinka had won the award, with over 50% of the final vote.

Although this is the first time Zrinka has worked in the UK, she has had a hugely successful career in theatre, film and television. She has been a member of the Croatian National Theatre since 2005 where some of her roles have included: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Irina in Three Sisters, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gwendoline in The Importance of Being Ernest, and Jenny in The Threepenny Opera. 

No stranger to winning awards for her performance in What is a Man Without a Moustache? she won several awards including The Heart of Sarajevo Award and Best Actress Awards at the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Golden Arena Festival and the Pula Film Festival. For her performance as Luna in the award-winning On the Path she was named the Croatian Shooting Star at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival and also received a nomination in the Best Actress category at the 2010 European Film Awards. 

Zrinka’s other film credits include: The Horseman and My Beautiful Country. In 2010 Cvitešić won Ples sa zvijezdama, the Croatian version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Recently I went backstage at the Phoenix Theatre to present Zrinka with her award and to discuss the win. We also discussed her time in London so far, how she thinks she’ll feel when she eventually leaves the show, her close bond with co-star Declan Bennett and what the future holds for her... including talk of some album plans and a potential return to classical theatre...

How has your time in London been so far?

It’s unbelievable. When I came here in January to be honest I was like “Oh my god”. This was the only city that I thought I would never live in because every time I came here it was always grey and rainy and I’m from Croatia where it’s always beautiful and sunny! But now it’s weird, because recently I went for a vacation in August and then when I came back to London it felt like I was coming home.

Prior to opening in the West End, Once had a short run in Ireland? How did that compare to being in London?

Completely different! We went there with our pants full because we were bringing their show to them! But from the first preview it was unbelievable and then when we came into the West End we were so spoiled. It felt like we were the Rolling Stones!

Best West End Debut: The Full Result

Following an exciting two week voting period earlier today we revealed that Croatian born Zrinka Cvitešić won the West End Frame Award for 'Best West End Debut' for making her West End debut as 'Girl' in Once at the Phoenix Theatre. Take a look at the full result below:

1st Place

Zrinka Cvitešić

Girl / Once

56% of the final vote

Zrinka is a well established theatre, film and television actress. She has been a member of the Croatian National Theatre since 2005, some of the her roles have included Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Irina in Three Sisters, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Gwendoline in The Importance of Being Ernest.

Zrinka Cvitešić wins Best West End Debut Award

Following an exciting two week voting period we can exclusively reveal that Croatian born Zrinka Cvitešić has won the West End Frame Award for 'Best West End Debut' for making her West End debut as 'Girl' in Once at the Phoenix Theatre. 

Speaking to West End Frame, Zrinka said: "One of the main reasons that we are actors in the first place is because of our audience. Audiences who love us, criticise us and guide us. Coming to one of the best theatre cities and stages in the world, from a small country, was a huge and daunting step for me because I had no built-in audience. Nobody knew me. Thank you West End Frame, thank you West End colleagues and friends, and mostly - thank you to the audiences for making me feel that I belong here. One of the first lines my character says is 'Well, it's not even my language, this English!'. All I can say now is 'Well, it looks like it is now...!'."

Zrinka is a well established theatre, film and television actress. She has been a member of the Croatian National Theatre since 2005, some of the her roles have included Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Irina in Three Sisters, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Gwendoline in The Importance of Being Ernest.

Best West End Debut: Meet the nominees

On Friday 16th August voting opened for West End Frame's 'Best West End Debut' Award. Every year many actors join their first West End show so our latest award is a celebration of some of the most spectacular West End debuts which have been made over the past year. Nine incredible actors have been nominated, some of whom are established performers and some who have only recently graduated from drama school. You can find out everything you could possibly want to know about the nominees below.

VOTE: Best West End Debut 2013

The voting period has now ended, click here to view the result!

Every year many actors join their first West End show so our latest award is a celebration of some of the most spectacular West End debuts which have been made over the past year. Nine incredible actors have been nominated, some of whom are established performers and some who have only recently graduated from drama school.

Voting for Best West End Debut opened at opened at 2pm on Friday 16th August and must close at 3pm on Thursday 29th August 2013. The result will be announced on Friday 30th August and you can preview the result (after voting) until Sunday 25th August.

Best West End Debut is part of the 2013 West End Frame Awards. Unlike other theatre awards West End Frame only opens voting for one category at a time. Best West End Debut follows Understudy Of The Year, Best Performance of a Song in a Musical and Best Jukebox Musical. Last year's Best West End Debut Award was won by Shayne Ward who made his West End debut as Stacee Jaxx in Rock Of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Kimberley Walsh (Princess Fiona, Shrek) came second and Adam Pettigrew (Boq, Wicked) came third.