MarketThe Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards
Company Profile

The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards

The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards recognise outstanding achievements in Irish theatre.

History
The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards were established in 1997 by The Irish Times to recognise excellence in professional theatre across the island of Ireland. The awards were conceived to reflect the full breadth of theatrical practice, encompassing productions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and covering a wide range of disciplines including acting, directing, design, and new writing. From their inception, the awards have aimed to support and promote innovative and adventurous theatre, with particular emphasis on new Irish work and emerging talent. Productions staged in major venues such as Abbey Theatre and Gate Theatre, as well as those in smaller independent theatres and festivals, are considered eligible. The judging panel is composed annually of theatre critics and cultural commentators, who attend productions throughout the year before compiling a shortlist of nominees. ==Description==
Description
The awards recognise achievement across multiple categories, typically including Best Production, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress in leading and supporting roles, as well as awards for set, costume, lighting, and sound design. In addition to these categories, the judges may offer a Special Award to honour outstanding contribution or leadership within the theatre community. Nominations are traditionally announced each January, with the ceremony taking place the following month at a high-profile, invitation-only event in Dublin. However, this schedule has occasionally been adjusted; for example, due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 nominations were announced in May 2022, with the ceremony held in June 2022. The awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in Irish theatre, frequently highlighting both established practitioners and emerging artists. ==By year==
By year
2010 awards (Winners in bold): Best Actor • Louis Lovett, as B and Brian in B For Baby at the Abbey Theatre • Malcolm Adams, as Tim Hartigan in ''Slattery's Sago Saga'' • Marty Rea, as Hamlet in HamletKarl Shiels, as Quinn in Penelope Best Actress • Olwen Fouéré, as the woman in Sodome, My Love • Hilary O'Shaughnessy, as the tour guide in Berlin Love Tour • Eileen Walsh, as Medea in Medea • Aoife Duffin, as Winnie Butler in Christ Deliver Us! Best Supporting Actor • Laurence Kinlan, as Mossy Lannigan in Christ Deliver Us! • Joe Hanley, as Fluther Good in The Plough and the Stars • Ronan Leahy, as Tutor/Messenger in MedeaConor MacNeill, as Lyokha in Plasticine Best Supporting Actress • Andrea Irvine, as Lady Macduff in MacbethEleanor Methven, as Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest • Karen Ardiff, as Mrs Cregan and Sheelagh Mann in The Colleen Bawn • Brid Brennan, as Madge in Philadelphia, Here I Come! Best Director • Selina Cartmell, for Medea, produced by Siren Productions • Jo Mangan, for ''Slattery's Sago Saga'', produced by Performance Corporation • Wayne Jordan, for Christ Deliver Us!, produced by the Abbey Theatre • Rachel O'Riordan, for Over the Bridge, produced by Green Shoot Productions Best Set • Aedin Cosgrvoe, for The Rehearsal, Playing the Dane • John Comiskey, for Sodome My Love • Tom Pye, for John Gabriel Borkman Best Costumes • Bláithin Sheerin, for PhaedraJoan Bergin, for John Gabriel Borkman • Miriam Duffy, for The Birthday of the Infanta Best Lighting • Paul Keogan, for PlasticineSinéad Wallace, for Happy Days • Sinéad McKenna, for Medea Best Sound • Dennis Clohessy, for Sodome My Love • Ellen Cranitch, for Phaedra • Philip Stewart, for The Early Bird Best Production • Pan Pan Theatre, for The Rehearsal, Playing the DaneSiren Productions, for MedeaAnu Productions, for ''World's End Lane'' • Rough Magic, for Phaedra Best New Play • ''What's Left of the Flag'', by Jimmy Murphy • ''Slaterry's Sago Saga'', by Arthur Riordan • National Anthem, by Colin Bateman • B for Baby, by Carmel Winters Best Opera Production • Opera Ireland, for Roméo et Juliette, by Charles Gounod • Opera Theatre Company, for The Diary of Anne Frank, by Grigory FridWexford Festival Opera, for Virginia, by Saverio Mercadante • Dumbworld/Brian Irvine Ensemble, for Postcards from Dumbworld, by Brian Irvine Judges Special Award • Project Brand New • Theatre Upstairs • Carysfort Press • Louise Lowe/Anu Productions 2011 awards (Winners in bold): Best Actress • Janet Moran for her role as Mal in the Fishamble: the New Play Company production of Eugene O’Brien's Heaven Best Supporting Actor • Rory Nolan for his role in the Abbey Theatre production of Anthony Simpson-Pike's An Octoroon Best Supporting Actress • Anna Healy for her performances in Abbey Theatre's Portia Coughlan, Druid's The Last Return and, Corcadorca Theatre Company's The Spin Best Director • Judy Hegarty Lovett for the production of The Realistic Joneses Best Set • Aedín Cosgrove in Dead Centre's production of Good Sex Best Costume • Madeleine Boyd for Wexford Festival Opera's production of Lalla-Roukh Best Lighting • James C McFetridge for Lyric Theatre's production of Big Man Best Sound • Carl Kennedy for Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett's production of The Tin Soldier • Conor Linehan for Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett's production of The Tin Soldier • Olesya Zdorovetkska for Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett's production of The Tin Soldier • Louis Lovett for Gate Theatre and Theatre Lovett's production of The Tin Soldier Best Movement • David Bolger for Blackwater Valley Festival Opera's production of Orfeo ed Euridice and CoisCéim Dance Theatre's production of Go to Blazes Best Ensemble • Druid's production of The Last Return Best Production • Northern Ireland Opera's production of Into the Woods Best New Play • Fishamble: the New Play Company's production of Heaven by Eugene O’Brien Best Opera • Opera Collective Ireland and Kilkenny Arts Festival's production of Semele Judges’ Special Award • Loughlin Deegan Best Video Design • Mags Mulvey with Aisling Ghéar Theatre Company for Minimal Human Contact The Irish Times Special Tribute Award • Bosco Hogan Audience Choice Award • No Magic Pill ==References==
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