The awards, run by U.K Theatre (formerly the Theatrical Management Association) — the trade body that represents theatre and performing arts organizations throughout the U.K. are the only awards to honor outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom.



Gypsy was eligible as it originally opened at Chichester Festival Theatre in the fall of 2014, before transferring to the Savoy Theatre where it is currently playing through Nov. 28. It will also be eligible for next year's Olivier Awards.



Other leading awards were won by Gary Owen's Iphigenia in Splott, originally seen at Cardiff's Sherman Cymru, which transfers to the National's Temporary Theatre in January; Ned Bennett, named Best Director for his productions of Pomona which ran at the Orange Tree and subsequently was seen at the National's Temporary Theatre, and for Yen seen at Manchester's Royal Exchange; and English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Crucible's production of Twelfth Night, which was named Best Touring Production.



Other performance awards were taken by Polly Lister and Joel McCormack, who shared the award for Best Performance in a Play for appearances in Abigail's Party at Theatre by the Lake and Each his Own Wilderness at the Orange Tree respectively; and Justine Mitchell, who won the award for Best Supporting Performance for For Services Rendered at Chichester's Minerva Theatre.

The award for best show for children and young people was won by Running Wild, produced by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre; and the award for best design was won by Dick Bird, Timothy Bird and Paul Keogan for The Hudsucker Proxy, co-produced by Nuffield Theatre, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse in association with Complicite. Newcastle Theatre Royal was crowned overall winner of the public vote for the My Theatre Matters! UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award 2015 with Smooth Radio.


 Matthew Bourne won The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre, as previously announced here, and Dame Eileen Atkins was awarded the Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts, as previously announced here.



Further industry awards were also presented. A full list of winners is available online at www.uktheatre.org/awards.