About the WhatsOnStage Awards

Each year thousands of theatregoers up and down the country nominate their favourite performers and shows in a number of categories. Nominations open on Tuesday 29 October and close on Wednesday 27 November 2019.

When the nominations close the top five nominees in each of those categories are put forward for the final vote along with the short-listed nominees in the technical categories*.

The full shortlist of nominees will be announced on Thursday 5 December 2019 when voting then opens and runs until Monday 27 January 2020.

*The shortlist for the technical categories (Choreography, Costume Design, Direction, Graphic Design, Lighting Design, Musical Direction, Set Design, Sound Design and Video Design) will be decided by an independent panel of industry experts appointed by WhatsOnStage. Their shortlist will then be voted on by the general public.

BBC Radio 2 announces partnership with the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2020

The Awards will be broadcast live from the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 1 March on Radio 2 from 7pm to 10pm in a special show, presented by Elaine Paige and Paddy O’Connell and featuring the first interviews with winners, nominees and special guests.

Radio 2 has also launched the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical and is inviting its listeners to vote for the winner. The award recognises the most popular musical currently playing in a West End theatre that will have played for at least 12 months when the nominations close on Monday 27 January.

VOTING HAS CLOSED

Flute Theatre announced as the official charity for the 20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards

Specialising in bringing Shakespearean productions to audiences that wouldn’t necessarily be able to experience them, particularly children on the autism spectrum, the company has performed productions across Europe, in countries such as Poland, Romania and the UK.

The company was founded in 2014 and its current artistic director is Kelly Hunter (who was recently made MBE). Hunter previously worked with children with autism during her time at the RSC. A large portion of the company’s day-to-day work takes place at the Bush Theatre.

Head to the Flute Theatre website to find out more about this life-changing theatre company.

Key Dates

• Tuesday 29 October 2019  | Nominations Open

• Wednesday 6 November 2019 | Tickets go on sale

• Wednesday 27 November 2019 at 5pm | Nominations close

• Thursday 5 December 2019  | Nominees announced and voting opens

• Monday 27 January 2020 at 5pm | Voting closes

• Sunday 1 March 2020 | Winners announced at the Awards Ceremony

Nominations and Voting

Nominations and votes are limited to one per person and require an email address to maintain integrity of the submission. We do everything we can to ensure fairness across the board. Many performers and productions mobilise their fanbase, so be sure to get involved and spread the word using #WOSAwards.