Best Actress in a Play
Juliet Stevenson/Lia Williams, Mary Stuart
It couldn't really be anyone else could it. Mary Stuart was my play of the year and the stellar combination of Stevenson and Williams was a huge part in that, a pair of extraordinary performances (or should that be a quartet...) that burst with life from the circular stage of the Almeida. I've seen it twice and I'm definitely thinking about going again.
Honourable mention: Uzo Aduba/Zawe Ashton, The Maids
As murderous sisters Claire and Solange, I simply adored this pairing and am a little surprised they - and the production - haven't received more love in the end-of-year lists and awards season. Fiercely uncompromising with every sweep of the broom, I couldn't split them if I tried either.
Best Actress in a Musical
Jenna Russell, Grey Gardens
One of the first shows I saw in 2016 and from the moment Russell opened the second act with the hysterical 'The Revolutionary Costume for Today', I knew that this category was a lockdown. Her casting in as Michelle Fowler in Eastenders came as a surprise and I can't help but be gutted that we've lost her to the world of television but hopefully it won't be too long before she's gracing our stages once more. STAUNCH!
Honourable mention: Clare Burt, Flowers for Mrs Harris
Whereas the likes of Amber Riley gets notices for belting the house down, there's an entirely different skill-set being masterfully used by the likes of Burt that is equally emotionally devastating. A performance full of gorgeous restraint and natural charm that hopefully we'll get to see again.
Labels: Cassidy Janson, fosterIANs, Gemma Arterton, Harriet Walter, Helen McCrory, Jenna Russell, Juliet Stevenson, Kaisa Hammarlund, Landi Oshinowo, Lia Williams, Linda Bassett, Maxine Peake, Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton