Ian Charleson Awards#2015

{{Short description|Awards for young British actors}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2014}}

The Ian Charleson Awards are theatrical awards that reward the best classical stage performances in Britain by actors under age 30. The awards are named in memory of the British actor Ian Charleson, and are run by the Sunday Times newspaper and the National Theatre. The awards were established in 1990 after Charleson's death, and have been awarded annually since then. Sunday Times theatre critic John Peter (1938–2020) initiated the creation of the awards, particularly in memory of Charleson's extraordinary Hamlet, which he had performed shortly before his death.Peter, John. [https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/stairway-to-success-vc3jnrh3hz6 "Stairway to success"]. Sunday Times. 20 June 2010.Peter, John. "John Peter announces the fourth Sunday Times–Royal National Theatre Ian Charleson Awards for young actors". Sunday Times. 30 January 1994. (Online reprint: {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131010061050/http://neftzer.com/toby/charleson.htm]}}). Recipients receive a cash prize, as do runners-up and third-place winners.

The awards' current definition of a classical play is one written before 1918. The awards for the previous year's performances are presented in the spring of the following year. The winners for 2023 were announced 26 May 2024, and first prize went to Francesca Mills.

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Background and description

The Sunday Times chief drama critic John Peter saw and reviewed Ian Charleson's extraordinary Hamlet at the National Theatre in late 1989.Peter, John. "A Hamlet who would be king at Elsinore". Sunday Times. 12 November 1989.Rosenthal, Daniel. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BA3DAgAAQBAJ&pg=PP587 The National Theatre Story]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Oberon Books, 2013. "John Peter was so moved by Charleson's 'masterful' Hamlet and Eyre's Guardian obituary of the actor, that he persuaded his editor on The Sunday Times, Andrew Neill, to found the Ian Charleson Awards, in association with the National, with a £5,000 first prize for an actor under 30 for a classical performance ...." Unbeknownst to the audience, Charleson performed it during the last weeks of his life while he was seriously ill with AIDS, and died in January 1990 at the age of 40 eight weeks after his final performance. In November 1990, in memory of Charleson's fine performance, Peter established the annual Ian Charleson Award, to recognize and reward the best classical stage performance by an actor under age 30.Peter, John. "A prize fit for princes". Sunday Times. 11 November 1990. The awards are jointly sponsored by The Sunday Times and the National Theatre, where they are held.[https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/_/dQH6BpCuS7xXBQ?ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.4708906829652251%2C%22y%22%3A0.5324703959983416%2C%22z%22%3A9.182908427532674%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A1.7274079339455357%2C%22height%22%3A0.8750524522472736%7D%7D Letter from Richard Eyre to The Sunday Times, confirming the establishment of the Ian Charleson Award at the National Theatre]. 17 October 1990. In: Rosenthal, Daniel. Shakespeare at the National Theatre, 1967–2012. Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 7 December 2016.

Upon founding the awards, Peter noted:

{{blockquote|Classical work is the solid bedrock of all acting. It is classical acting, with its twin demands of psychological perception and formal excellence, which truly tests and proves the actor's ability and stamina, both physical and mental.}}

The first annual Ian Charleson Award was presented in January 1991."Timely tributes for a new generation of actors". Sunday Times. 13 January 1991. The awards initially defined a classic play as one written prior to 1900; by the awards for 1992 this parameter had been extended to plays written by 1904, the year of Chekhov's death;Peter, John. "Ambassadors of the imagination" The Sunday Times. 30 January 1994. this cut-off was extended to 1918 at the awards for 2008."Presentation of the Ian Charleson Awards 2008: The awards, sponsored by the NT and The Sunday Times, are for actors under 30, appearing in plays written before 1918". The Times. 19 April 2009. The awards are presented at a friendly, low-key private luncheon at one of the restaurants at the National Theatre. There is no filming and no outside press, and there are no acceptance speeches; the awards are attended however by Britain's theatre royalty, who take great interest in preserving the foundations of their profession. Guests of honour have included Alec Guinness, Paul Scofield, Ian McKellen, and Prince Charles.[https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/the-life-and-legacy-of-theatre-critic-john-peter-v8jg7fz7f "The life and legacy of theatre critic John Peter: The awards he gave us"]. The Times. 9 July 2020.

Recipients receive a cash prize, as do runners-up and third-place winners. All shortlist nominees who are not cash-prize recipients receive a "commendation". Winners and commendees receive a plaque signed by the judges, who usually number four (a theatre critic, an actor, a casting director, and an artistic director) and until the awards for 2016 always included John Peter.

The awards for the previous year's performances are presented the following year, generally in the spring. The prize money is as follows: 1st prize £5,000; 2nd prize £1,500 (sometimes £2,000 or £2,500); and 3rd prize £500.

{{For|a list of first-prize winners|List of Ian Charleson Award winners}}

1990s

=1990=

==First prize==

  • Ian Hughes, for Torquato Tasso in Torquato Tasso (Actors Touring Company)[http://ejournals.org.uk/ejournals.org.uk/bjll/%5Bpp76-80%5D_Author_bios.pdf Contributors: The Birmingham Journal of Literature and Language: Authors]. The Birmingham Journal of Literature and Language. Volume I, Issue II, 2008. p. 77.

==Second prize==

==Special commendation==

==Commendation==

=1991=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Special commendation==

==Commendations==

=1992=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Special commendation==

==Commendations==

=1993=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=1994=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=1995=

==First prize==

  • Lucy Whybrow, for Eleanora in Easter (Royal Shakespeare Company)Connors, Adrienne. "Applause for these 'rare' young talents". Sunday Times. 28 April 1996.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=1996=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Special commendation==

==Commendations==

=1997=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Special commendations==

==Commendations==

=1998=

==First prize==

  • Claudie Blakley, for Nina in The Seagull (West Yorkshire Playhouse)Brooke, Richard. "Carrying the torch forward". Sunday Times. 25 April 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.cwn.org.uk/arts/rsc/1999/04/990419-charleson-award.htm|title=RSC Actors Nominated For Ian Charleson Award|website= cwn.org.uk |date=19 April 1999}}

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=1999=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

2000s

=2000=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2001=

==First prize==

  • Claire Price, for Berinthia in The Relapse (National Theatre)Connors, Adrienne. "Young, gifted and actors". Sunday Times. 19 May 2002.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2002=

==First prize==

  • Rebecca Hall, for Vivvie in Mrs Warren's Profession (Strand Theatre)Nicol, Patricia. "Welcome to the Hall of fame". Sunday Times. 20 April 2003.Lathan, P. [http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/news/N200403.htm "Another Hall Hits the Heights"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017154534/http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/news/N200403.htm |date=2006-10-17 }} The British Theatre Guide, April 20, 2003, retrieved November 9, 2006.[http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821050407667 "Rebecca Hall & Tempest Two Win Charleson Awards"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616053402/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821050407667 |date=2011-06-16 }}. What's On Stage. 14 April 2003.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2003=

==First prize==

  • Lisa Dillon, for Hilda Wangel in The Master Builder (Almeida Theatre)Nicol, Patricia. "Do put your daughter on the stage". Sunday Times. 4 April 2004.Paddock, Terri. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110616053848/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821080568418 "Dillon Wins Ian Charleson Award for Master Builder"]. What's On Stage. 29 March 2004.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Special commendations==

==Commendations==

=2004=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2005=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2006=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2007=

==First prize==

  • Rory Kinnear, for Pytor in Philistines and Sir Fopling Flutter in The Man of Mode (National Theatre)Connors, Adrienne. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141109003403/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/theatre/article87703.ece "Rory Kinnear: the son also rises"]. Sunday Times. 27 April 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821209053239|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616053137/http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821209053239|url-status=dead|title=Kinnear Follows Olivier With Ian Charleson Award|archivedate=June 16, 2011}}

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2008=

==First prize==

  • Tom Burke, for Adolph in Creditors (Donmar Warehouse)Groom, Holly. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160809105335/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/theatre/article168046.ece "Tom Burke scoops Ian Charleson award"]. Sunday Times. 17 May 2009.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Special commendations==

==Commendations==

=2009=

==First prize==

  • Ruth Negga, for Aricia in Phèdre (National Theatre)[https://web.archive.org/web/20160809125604/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/theatre/article320186.ece "Bright young thing"]. Sunday Times. 20 June 2010.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Special commendations as previous winners==

==Commendations==

2010s

=2010=

==First prize==

  • Gwilym Lee, for Edgar in King Lear (Donmar Warehouse)Wise, Louis. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131226230200/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/theatre/article649252.ece "Award for young actors"]. Sunday Times. 19 June 2011.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2011=

==First prize==

  • Cush Jumbo, for Rosalind in As You Like It (Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester)Wise, Louis. "Here's to a Jumbo talent". Sunday Times. 27 May 2012.[http://www.westendtheatre.com/49709/awards/ian-charleson-awards-2011/ "Winners and Nominees of the Ian Charleson Awards 2011"]. WestEndTheatre.com. 30 June 2012.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2012=

==First prize==

  • Ashley Zhangazha, for Ross in Macbeth (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield)[https://web.archive.org/web/20140425002542/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/theatre/article1266023.ece "National recognition: Ashley Zhangazha’s Charleson Award shows the classics thriving in regional productions"].

The Sunday Times. 2 June 2013.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2013=

==First prize==

  • Jack Lowden, for Oswald in Ghosts (Almeida Theatre)Wise, Louis. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150528100536/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/article1405353.ece "Haunting brilliance"]. Sunday Times. 4 May 2014.[http://www.westendtheatre.com/26376/news/jack-lowden-wins-ian-charleson-award/ "Jack Lowden Wins Ian Charleson Award"]. WestEndTheatre.com. 27 April 2014.Merrifield, Nicola. [http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2014/05/jack-lowden-wins-2013-ian-charleson-prize/ "Jack Lowden wins 2013 Ian Charleson prize"]. The Stage. 28 June 2014.[http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/03-2014/jessie-buckley-jack-lowden-and-olivia-vinall-among_33935.html "Jessie Buckley, Jack Lowden and Olivia Vinall among Ian Charleson shortlist"]. WhatsOnStage.com. 24 March 2014.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2014=

==First prize==

  • Susannah Fielding, for Portia in The Merchant of Venice (Almeida Theatre)[https://web.archive.org/web/20150630093804/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/arts/article1572803.ece "2015 Ian Charleson Awards"]. Sunday Times. 28 June 2015.Snow, Georgia. [https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2015/susannah-fielding-wins-ian-charleson-award/ "Susannah Fielding wins Ian Charleson award"]. The Stage. 19 June 2015.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2015=

==First prize==

  • James McArdle, for Platonov in Platonov (Chichester Festival Theatre)Hawkins, Helen. [https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/next-steppe-to-greatness-7f56h2tkk "Next steppe to greatness"]. Sunday Times. 3 July 2016.Snow, Georgia. [https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2016/james-mcardle-wins-2016-ian-charleson-award/ "James McArdle wins 2015 Ian Charleson award"]. The Stage. 24 June 2016.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2016=

==First prize==

[https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/paapa-essiedu-wins-2016-ian-charleson-award/ "Paapa Essiedu wins 2016 Ian Charleson award"]. The Stage. 6 June 2017.[http://www.westendtheatre.com/52653/awards/ian-charleson-awards-2016/ "Ian Charleson Awards 2016"]. WestEndTheatre.com. 6 June 2017.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2017=

==First prize==

  • Natalie Simpson, for Duchess Rosaura in The Cardinal (Southwark Playhouse)Masso, Giverny. [https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/natalie-simpson-wins-2017-ian-charleson-award/ "Natalie Simpson wins 2017 Ian Charleson Award"]. The Stage. 18 May 2018{{cite news |date= 27 May 2018|title= And the winners are... Find out who triumphed at the Ian Charleson Awards|work= The Sunday Times |url= https://www.thetimes.com/edition/news/the-ian-charleson-awards-the-winners-natalie-simpson-tamsin-greig-xhc0rzd5j}}

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2018=

==First prize==

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

Snow, Georgia. [https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/tyrone-huntley-among-nominees-for-2018-ian-charleson-awards "Tyrone Huntley among nominees for 2018 Ian Charleson Awards"]. The Stage. 18 March 2019.[https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/shortlist-2018-sunday-times-national-theatre-ian-charleson-awards-9g5kx0gnt "Shortlist announced for the 2018 Sunday Times/National Theatre Ian Charleson Awards"]. The Sunday Times. 17 March 2019.

=2019=

==First prize==

  • Heledd Gwynn, for Hedda in Hedda Gabler (Sherman Theatre, Cardiff) and Hastings and Ratcliffe in Richard III (Headlong)Angelini, Francesca. [https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/and-the-winner-of-the-ian-charleson-awards-is-wsgtzjlf7 "And the winner of the Ian Charleson awards is . . ."]. The Sunday Times. 4 April 2021.Bosanquet, Theo. [https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/winners-announced-of-30th-ian-charleson-awards_53688.html "Winners announced of 30th Ian Charleson awards"]. WhatsOnStage.com. 29 March 2021.

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

2020s

=2020/2021=

==First prize==

  • Gloria Obianyo, for Neoptolemus in Kae Tempest's Paradise (National Theatre){{cite news |last1=Dillon |first1=Luke |title=Ian Charleson Awards 2022 winner announced |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/118911/news/awards/ian-charleson-awards-2022-winner-announced/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |work=WestEndTheatre.com |date=22 May 2022}}

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2022=

==First prize==

  • Abiola Owokoniran, for Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest (English Touring Theatre){{cite news |last1=Helm |first1=Jake |title=Ian Charleson awards — meet the young actors to watch |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/ian-charleson-awards-meet-the-young-actors-to-watch-vljbvrjv5 |access-date=30 May 2023 |work=The Sunday Times |date=28 May 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Raven |first1=Simon |title=Ian Charleson Awards 2023 – Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran wins first prize |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/172967/news/awards/ian-charleson-awards-2023-rilwan-abiola-owokoniran-wins-first-prize/ |website=WestEndTheatre.com |access-date=30 May 2023 |date=28 May 2023}}

==Second prize==

==Third Prize==

==Commendations==

=2023=

==First prize==

  • Francesca Mills, for Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe){{cite news |last1=Helm |first1=Jake |last2=Schofield |first2=Blanca |title=Revealed: the best young stage actors of the year |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/revealed-the-best-young-stage-actors-of-the-year-qxjfc6jv2 |access-date=28 June 2024 |work=Sunday Times |date=26 May 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Alex |title=Ian Charleson Award winners revealed |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/ian-charleson-award-winners-revealed_1603548/ |website=WhatsOnStage.com |access-date=28 June 2024 |date=28 May 2024}}

==Second prize==

==Third prize==

==Commendations==

=2024=

==Nominees==

Judges

=1990s=

==1990==

==1991==

==1992==

==1993==

==1994==

==1995==

==1996==

==1997==

==1998==

==1999==

(unpublished)

=2000s=

==2000==

==2001==

==2002==

==2003==

==2004==

(unpublished)

==2005==

==2006==

==2007==

==2008==

(unpublished)

==2009==

=2010s=

==2010==

==2011==

(unpublished)

==2012==

==2013==

==2014==

==2015==

==2016==

==2017==

==2018==

==2019==

=2020s=

==2020/2021==

  • Emma Fielding – actress{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/our-shortlist-for-this-years-ian-charleson-awards-28mgbssmg|title = Our shortlist for this year's Ian Charleson Awards}}{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Sarah |title=Ian Charleson Awards 2022 shortlist announced |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/113113/news/awards/ian-charleson-awards-2022-shortlist-announced/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |work=WestEndTheatre.com |date=28 March 2022}}
  • Ashley Zhangazha – actor
  • Alastair Coomer – National Theatre casting director
  • Kate Bassett – former theatre critic at The Times

==2022==

==2023==

==2024==

  • Fisayo Akinade – actorhttps://www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominees-for-2025-ian-charleson-award-revealed_1673529/
  • Alastair Coomer – head of casting at National Theatre
  • Robert Hastie – deputy artistic director of National Theatre
  • Hannah Miller – casting director

See also

References