Best success in the face of adversity
Helen Dallimore, Too Close To The Sun
Cynics might think I created this category specifically so that Too Close To The Sun could win something, and they might be right. The particular performance that I witnessed involved what can only be described as "tablegate", so not only did they have to put up with delivering one of the worst musicals ever created, the cast in particular Helen Dallimore, had to contend with a collapsing wicker chest and the funniest case of ongoing corpsing I've ever seen. It made what would have been a tragedy into an 'event' and one which I feel privileged to have been part of!
Honourable mention
The cast of Madame de Sade
Miranda Richardson, Grasses of a Thousand Colours
When the Donmar West End season was announced, my eyes were immediately drawn to the third play, the only one to feature an all-female cast and one of such calibre that Iwas eagerly anticipating Madame de Sade. What a shame that this was the only mis-step in a excellent season: a turgid, laborious piece that not even a Dame could rescue.
And there needs to be some recognition of the indignities suffered upon Ms Richardson, cast as a lover of Wallace Shawn in a play written by the self-same Wallace Shawn, he had her pretending to be a cat and licking his bald head.
Closest move to damehood
Imelda Staunton
Parading all her wares us to laugh at in Entertaining Mr Sloane, Imelda Staunton showed great fortitude and continued a legacy of fine fine performances on the stage (which, combined with her efforts in Cranford) means that a place on the Queen's list must surely be hers soon.
Celia Imrie
Fiona Shaw
Juliet StevensonLabels: Celia Imrie, Dame Judi Dench, Deborah Findlay, Fiona Shaw, Frances Barber, Helen Dallimore, Imelda Staunton, Jenny Galloway, Juliet Stevenson, Miranda Richardson, Rosamund Pike