The WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards in which the audience are the judges. By voting the audience decide on the winners of my different theatrical categories.
The WhatsOnStage Awards began almost by accident: in early 2001, the shortlists for that year’s Laurence Olivier Awards was published by accident, covering the 2,000 theatregoing year, and invited site visitors to vote online for who they thought should win in the various Olivier categories, and their results differed greatly from the Olivier judges. For the 2002 Awards the shortlists were compiled by the WhatsOnStage editors, and in 2003, the first Launch Party was held to announce the shortlists to about 200 industry guests.
For the 2014 Awards, covering the 2013 theatre year, key dates are 1 November – nominations open; 30 November – nominations close; 6 December – Launch party, shortlists announced, voting opens; 31 January – Voting closes; and 23 February – Awards Ceremony and Concert, winners announced.
Each year, the Awards shortlists – covering the best of London theatre – are drawn up with the help of thousands of theatregoers who nominate favourites across over 20 awards categories. After nominations are announced voting opens and runs until the end of January the following year.
All professional productions that opened in London between 1 December and 30 November are eligible for awards consideration, with just a few special categories. Best Takeover in a Role recognises new performers in longer-running productions, while Best Regional Production looks beyond the capital. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the awards in 2010, introduced was a new category for Best West End Show, which applies to all current West End productions, including long-running blockbusters.
The 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards Concert will return to the West End’s Prince of Wales Theatre on 23 February 2014.