MORE AWARD SUCCESS FOR THE MADE AT CURVE PRODUCTION OF SUNSET BOULEVARD

Fri 9 Mar 2018
Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Ria Jones, Danny Mac and Curve Chief Executive Chris Stafford - Photography by Pamela Raith

Today, Leicester’s Curve theatre received another two prestigious awards for its production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard – with the production winning Best Musical and Danny Mac being voted as Best Actor in a Visiting Production at this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards.

The Manchester Theatre Awards are the most important theatre awards outside of London and the ceremony took place Friday 9 March at The Lowry’s Quays Theatre.

Sunset Boulevard was voted ‘Best Musical’ and Danny Mac’s performance as impoverished writer Joe Gillis was voted ‘Best Actor in a Visiting Production’ by the 11-strong panel of some of the most experienced critics in the country. Sunset Boulevard opened at Curve 28 Sep 2017 and is currently touring the UK. The Michael Harrison, David Ian and Curve production is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster.

Leading actress Ria Jones who plays Sunset Boulevard’s faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond was also nominated for her performance at the awards.

In a joint statement, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

We are incredibly proud of our Made at Curve production of Sunset Boulevard winning ‘Best Musical’ and Danny Mac’s triumph at the Manchester Theatre Awards. Having also recently won ‘Best Regional Production’ at the What’s On Stage Awards, it is incredible to celebrate the accomplishments of our production and of Danny, who alongside Ria Jones, leads a magnificent company of actors.

All of us in Leicester send Danny our warmest congratulations. We first became aware of Danny when he was at drama school and having followed his career closely, from performing with us in Legally Blonde, through to his exceptional work in Sunset Boulevard, we are proud of his achievements.”

Also speaking about the award in a recorded video message, Danny Mac said:

“It is a great honour to be voted ‘Best Actor in a Visiting Production’ and for Sunset Boulevard to win ‘Best Musical’ by Manchester Theatre Awards. Thank you to Nikolai Foster, Chris Stafford and everyone at Curve who created this amazing production. Thank you also to David Ian and Michael Harrison, our brilliant producers, who allowed us to take this show all over the country. Not to mention, the remarkable Ria Jones without whom this beautiful show would not be happening. It was a privilege to bring this show to Manchester and these awards mean the world to us.”