WhatsOnStage Awards 2023: Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer and X-Factor star Lucie Jones among winners

By Daniel Mcneil

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Published 13th Feb 2023, 12:18 BST

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The WhatsOnStage Awards followed the likes of the Brit’s by hosting gender neutral categories, with Jodie Comer taking home a major award

The 23rd annual WhatsOnStage awards took centre stage at the Prince of Wales theatre on Sunday night (February 12). The awards are the only major theatre awards nominated and voted for by the public.

The WhatsOnStage awards come nearly two months before the Olivier Awards. Returning to the Royal Albert Hall in 2023, the Olivier Awards are set to be hosted by three-time Olivier Award nominee & Primetime Emmy winner, Hannah Waddingham.

Jodie Comer was one of the big winners on Sunday night, as WhatsOnStage held gender-neutral categories for the first time. Comer, arguably most known for her starring role in Killing Eve was named best performer in a play.

All four of the major acting categories were won by women - with only one male taking home a prize for acting, in a newly created additional category for best professional debut won by Joe Locke in The Trials.

More award ceremonies have been opting for gender-neutral awards to allow for the inclusion of non-binary performers. However, some of these decisions have faced backlash such as the Brit Awards, where the best artist category resulted in an all-male shortlist.

WhatsOnStage 2023 full award winners list

Best performer in a musical - Courtney Bowman, Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Best supporting performer in a musical - Lauren Drew, Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Best performer in a play - Jodie Comer, Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

Jodie Comer is a scouse actress who has a net worth of $6 million. She is best known for playing Oksana Astankova in the spy series, Killing Eve. Due to her performances in this series, Jodie was given a number of awards and accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. — Jodie Comer is a scouse actress who has a net worth of $6 million. She is best known for playing Oksana Astankova in the spy series, Killing Eve. Due to her performances in this series, Jodie was given a number of awards and accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. | Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty

Jodie Comer is a scouse actress who has a net worth of $6 million. She is best known for playing Oksana Astankova in the spy series, Killing Eve. Due to her performances in this series, Jodie was given a number of awards and accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. — Jodie Comer is a scouse actress who has a net worth of $6 million. She is best known for playing Oksana Astankova in the spy series, Killing Eve. Due to her performances in this series, Jodie was given a number of awards and accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. | Image: Tristan Fewings/Getty

Best supporting performer in a play - Gwyneth Keyworth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre

Best takeover performance - Lucie Jones, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Best professional debut performance - Joe Locke, The Trials, Donmar Warehouse

Best new musical - Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, Arts Theatre

Best musical revival - Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Best new play - Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

Best play revival - Cock, Ambassadors Theatre

Best West End show - Six, Vaudeville Theatre

Best regional production - Billy Elliot the Musical, Curve, Leicester

Best off-West End Production - But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical, The Turbine Theatre

Best concert event - Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Sondheim Theatre

Best direction - Phelim McDermott, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Best musical direction/supervision - Bruce O’Neil and Matt Smith, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Best casting direction - Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Best choreography - Arlene Phillips, Grease, Dominion Theatre

Best costume design - Gabriella Slade, The Cher Show, UK tour

Best lighting design - Jessica Hung Han Yun, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Best set design - Tom Pye and Basil Twist, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Best sound design - Tony Gayle, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Best video design - Joshua Thorson, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Best graphic design - Studio Doug, Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

Killing Eve Prince of Wales Performer

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