Black British Theatre Awards nominees – Tina: The Tina Turner Musical leads the way

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical leads the way in the nominations for the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs). The hit West End show which is currently in its fifth year at the Aldwych Theatre tops the list of nominees for the fifth annual awards with five nominations. Tina’s closest musical theatre rival on the shortlist is Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre with a total of three nominations.

The awards which recognise some of the finest work by Black performers and creatives in UK Theatre will be handed out at a star-packed ceremony in the Lyttelton Theatre at the National Theatre on 29 October 2023.

Commenting on the ongoing success of the awards, BBTA co-directors Solange Urdang and Omar F Okai added: “It’s such a pleasure to witness such a positive impact on theatre, watching it grow and develop. We can’t wait to celebrate our fifth ceremony at the iconic National Theatre again this autumn.”

The deputy artistic director of the National Theatre, Clint Dyer added: “After a wonderful first outing at the National Theatre, it feels the perfect thing to host this groundbreaking and vital event again at the NT.”

Presenters and performers for the ceremony include Emmanuel Akwafo (Olivier nominated, For Black Boys Who Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy), Merryl Ansah (currently Nala in Disney’s The Lion King), Rakie Ayola (Bafta-winning film, theatre and TV actress), Nicola Blackman (West End theatre and TV actress, currently in the West End production of Lyonesse), Josette Bushell-Mingo (actor, director), Shaun Escoffery (currently Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King), Brenda Emmanus (arts and culture broadcaster and journalist), Myles Frost (2022 Tony Award winner for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in MJ The Musical), Matt Henry (The Drifters Girl, Kinky Boots), Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick (independent peer), Cush Jumbo (actress, writer), Kanya King (MOBO Awards CEO), Cedric Neal (currently starring in Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre), Omar F Okai (director, choreographer and co-director/founder of BBTAs), Indra Ove (stage, film and TV actress), Jason Pennycooke (Hamilton, Moulin Rouge), Danny Sapani (Killing Eve, Black Panther, appearing in King Lear at the Almeida Theatre, opening in February 2024), Sadie Jean Shirley (Ain’t Too Proud), Mzz Kimberley Tatum (theatre and film actress and trans equality activist), Kenneth Tharp (creative consultant and arts and culture leader), the cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (performing a medley), Layton Williams (West End star and TV personality, currently appearing in Strictly Come Dancing) and Solange Urdang (educator, CEO of The Dang, co-director/founder of the BBTAs).

This year’s musical theatre nominees are:

Best Supporting Female Actor In A Musical

Billie-Kay Payne, Annie the Musical – UK tour

Charis Alexandra, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Aldwych Theatre

Irene Myrtle Forrester, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Aldwych Theatre

Best Supporting Male Actor In A Musical

Jay Perry, Sylvia – The Old Vic

Kylan Denis, Matilda the Musical – Cambridge Theatre

Kyrelle Lammy, Nativity: The Musical

Best Female Lead Actor In A Musical Award

Elesha Paul Moses, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Aldwych Theatre

Heidi Williams, Matilda the Musical – Cambridge Theatre

Nicole-Lily Baisden, 42nd Street – Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Best Male Lead Actor In A Musical Award

Caleb Roberts, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Aldwych Theatre

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Newsies – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Owen Chaponda, The Lion King – The Lyceum Theatre

Best Non Binary Performer In A Musical Award

Alex Thomas-Smith, & Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre

Claudia Kariuki, Six the Musical – Vaudeville Theatre

Best Musical Production Award

Sylvia – The Old Vic

The Color Purple – UK tour

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – Aldwych Theatre

The full list of nominees can be found HERE.