Nominees have been revealed for this year’s Ian Charleson Awards.
The annual awards celebrate actors under 30 who have performed in a classical role, which is defined as a play written before 1918.
The awards are in memory of actor Ian Charleson who died of AIDS in 1990, aged only 40.
This year’s nominees include EastEnders actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, for her performance in As You Like It at @sohoplace; Rosie Sheehy, for her roles in Richard III and All’s Well That Ends Well at the RSC; Eben Figueiredo – who also made the shortlist in 2020 – for Much Ado About Nothing at the National Theatre; and Abiola Owokoniran, for his performance in English Touring Theatre’s The Importance of Being Earnest.
This year’s judges for the Ian Charleson Awards are: Robert Hastie, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, Alastair Coomer, head of casting at the National Theatre, and actors Emma Fielding and Ashley Zhangazha.
Last year’s winner was Gloria Obianyo for her performance in Paradise at the National Theatre.
Previous winners are a roll call of successful stage and screen talent, including Andrea Riseborough, David Oyelowo, Cush Jumbo, Rory Kinnear, Rebecca Hall, and Tom Hollander. Past nominees include Michael Sheen, Jodie Whittaker, Benedict Cumberbatch, Adrian Lester, Helen McCrory, Jude Law, Damian Lewis, Hugh Bonneville, David Tennant, and Ben Whishaw.
The Ian Charleson Awards are supported by The Sunday Times and the National Theatre.
Ian Charleson Awards 2023 – Nominees
Rose Ayling-Ellis, 28
As You Like It, @SohoPlace
Ralph Davis, 27
Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe
Eben Figueiredo, 27
Much Ado About Nothing, National Theatre
Conor Glean, 27
Henry VI Rebellion, Henry VI War of the Roses, Richard III, RSC
Phoebe Horn, 22
Much Ado About Nothing, National Theatre
Mirren Mack, 24
Hamlet, Bristol Old Vic
Rosy McEwen, 29
Othello, National Theatre
Abiola Owokoniran, 22
The Importance of Being Earnest, English Touring Theatre
William Robinson, 27
Britannicus, Lyric Hammersmith
Daniel Rock, 23
Richard II, Omnibus Theatre
Rosie Sheehy, 28
Richard III, All’s Well That Ends Well, RSC
Chanel Waddock, 26
Othello, Frantic Assembly
Claire Wetherall, 27
Much Ado About Nothing, Sheffield Theatres/Ramps on the Moon
Benjamin Wilson, 29
Much Ado About Nothing, Sheffield Theatres/Ramps on the Moon
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