The Black British Theatre Awards
The UK’s only event celebrating the outstanding achievements and contributions of black artists to the nation’s vibrant and dynamic theatre industry, the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA), has opened up nominations for this year’s awards and invites the public to submit their favourite black British theatre professionals for recognition.
The British public will be able to submit their nominations for awards across key categories such as Best Producer and Director, lighting and sound design, casting, Best Male and Female Lead in a Play and Musical, as well as Champion Awards such as Best Child Performer (under 16), LGBTQIA Champion and Disability Champion, via the BBTA website from 1 June to 31 July.
“It is crucial for us to be loud in our celebration of black talent in the British theatre industry as it not only amplifies the diverse voices that have made significant contributions to enriching the industry with unique and creative and cultural perspectives, but also to recognise the decades-long impact of black professionals’ artistic legacy in the UK while inspiring future generations of black creatives,” says Solange Urdang OBE & Omar F. Okai, Co-Founders of the BBTAs.
The BBTAs was founded to honour the exceptional work of black professionals across all aspects of the industry from performers, directors, writers, and producers to sound, music, lighting and design talent as, despite a substantial pool of black talent, recognition was significantly lacking.
Once voting is closed and nominees have been shortlisted, the BBTA will hold its 6th annual ceremony at the Lyceum Theatre on Monday 4 November. Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in the West End this year, is the headline sponsor of the highly anticipated event. Since performances of Director Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation began at the Lyceum Theatre in 1999 more than 19 million people have experienced the breath-taking musical in London.
Previous winners of the BBTAs include Ryan Calais Cameron and Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu for Best Director for For Black Boys Who Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, which is currently playing at the West End at the Garrick Theatre until 1st June, as well as Michael Fatogun as Best Male Lead in Foxes, and Toyin Ayedun-Alase for both Best Female Lead and Best Supporting Female Actor for her work in The Clinic and Alice in Wonderland.
The Black British Theatre awards was founded by Solange Urdang and Omar F. Okai in 2018 to illuminate diversity within the UK theatre industry. Further information about the Black British Theatre Awards and to vote visit https://blackbritishtheatreawards.com/ or instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebbtas
For further information about Solange Urdang visit her Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/solangeurdang or Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/solange-urdang-obe-frsa
THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
Surpassing 25 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed 114 million visitors worldwide to date and has nine productions currently running worldwide. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award® for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from THE LION KING animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed THE LION KING animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), Antony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor) and Pippa Ailion (casting). Anne Quart serves as executive producer.
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