Caroline Leslie, part of the Theatre’s Creative Leadership Team and Director of Sleeping Beauty says “We’re all so delighted to be Offie finalists in this category. We had two very strong intentions for Sleeping Beauty. Firstly, to surprise and delight audiences who might be coming to the theatre for the first time, hopefully inspiring them to come again. And secondly, to honour the rich tradition of pantomime, whilst also making a progressive story that felt relevant to audiences today. We think this nomination means that we achieved these aims and that gives us great joy and satisfaction.”
Oliver Hembrough, Chris Keller in All My Sons says “I’m thrilled to be a finalist in the best supporting performance in a play category at this year’s Offie Awards. Playing Chris Keller, alongside our fantastic cast at Queens Theatre Hornchurch, was a joy, I mean, what a part to play! Bucket list stuff right there and to get this nod is the icing on the cake. Thanks to the whole team at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, from the box office staff to the executive director, from the front of house staff to all of the technical and creative crews. Without you lot these plays would never happen, and we need them now more than ever!”
Sleeping Beauty starred Ben Barrow, Footloose (UK & International Tour); Anna Fordham, Sunshine On Leith (Pitlochry Festival Theatre); Dominic Gee-Burch, Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the Musical (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch); Jerome Lincoln, Whistle Down The Wind (The Watermill); Marta Miranda, The Diary of Anne Frank (Guildford School of Acting); Laura Sillett, Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK No.1 Tour); Alex Tomkins, (School of Rock, West End) and Hannah Woodward, The Wizard of Oz, (Hartlepool Borough Hall).
Sleeping Beauty was written by Andrew Pollard, directed by Caroline Leslie, with original music and lyrics by Tom Self, set and costume design by Dora Schweitzer, lighting design by Stephen Pemble, and choreography by Lee Crowley. The executive producer was Mathew Russell.
Oliver Hembrough’s recent credits include 80 Days Around The World on BBC One alongside David Tennant, and War of the Worlds 3, The Disney+ reboot of the HG Wells classic starring Gabriel Byrne and Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Winners will be revealed at the award ceremony on 12 February 2023 at the Alexandra Palace Theatre.
The annual awards known as The Offies launched in 2010 to celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London, outside the West End. For more information about The Offies and for the full list of finalists, visit offies.london
