Tipsy Hippo Theatre Awards

The Tipsy Hippo Theatre Awards are set to become an annual awards system where shows are judged by myself under a number of categories (explained below). The rules are simple and purposefully broad. If I have seen a show within the months of January to December of a particular year then the show is eligible for consideration for the relevant year's awards. I will nominate three to five (three in 2010 because of the limited number of performances I have seen) people or shows for each category and choose a winner around the time of the New Year. Unlike other award systems, I am not limiting the nomination process to solely shows performed in London or to shows that run for a minimum of 30 performances but am instead including everything that I have seen during the year. 

This may mean that there is an amazing show deserving of recognition that I failed to see but that is just something I'll live with and they will not be eligible for consideration. The awards will not be determining the best of a year's crop but the best of the crop that I have seen. Because of this, smaller shows will be judged alongside larger shows and I think that this is a healthy thing to do so both will be judged by exactly the same categories and standards. Including everything means that the categories themselves are very broad, promising the result that only the very best will be nominated (admitting that these are likely to be the larger shows), although others will have doubtlessly received commendations in their individual reviews, also posted on this blog. 

I welcome feedback on the awards process, hoping to improve the way it works moving forward. Hopefully the larger volume and thus broader range of shows that I shall see next year will help refine the system and make it fairer, but I believe the current system is fair for the shows it will be assessing for 2010. Perhaps next year will bring a few tweaks here and there, you never know.

The categories run as follows:

• Outstanding Drama
• Outstanding Comedy
• Outstanding New Play
• Outstanding Leading Actor
• Outstanding Leading Actress
• Outstanding Supporting Performer
• Outstanding Director
• Outstanding Design
• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Shakespeare
• Show of the Year 

Outstanding Drama

All shows that are regarded as 'drama' will be judged in this category and will be assessed on all aspects of the production, including script, casting, acting, direction, design and the overall cumulative result of all of these parts into the play as a whole.

Outstanding Comedy

All shows that are regarded as 'comedy' will be judged in this category and will be assessed on all aspects of the production, including script, casting, acting, direction, design and the overall cumulative result of all of these parts into the play as a whole.

Outstanding New Play

All shows that have not been seen before on the stage will be considered in this category and will be judged primarily on the merits of the script with the rest of the production being taken into account. Because the awards are not limited to London, neither will the categories, thus if a show has played somewhere other than where I see it, it shall not be considered for this category as it is not a new show.

Outstanding Leading Actor

All male leads across the board are eligible for consideration in this category and there is no distinction between the different styles of show (i.e. comedy/drama). Here, the best is the best irrespective of style and genre. Actors will only be considered for one show, even if they are in more than one per year, though they can be nominated more than once (but only once for each show) in the category.

Outstanding Leading Actress

All female leads across the board are eligible for consideration in this category and there is no distinction between the different styles of show (i.e. comedy/drama). Here, the best is the best irrespective of style and genre. Actresses will only be considered for one show, even if they are in more than one per year, though they can be nominated more than once (but only once for each show) in the category.

Outstanding Supporting Performer

All supporting cast members across the board are eligible for consideration in this category and there is no distinction between the different styles of show or gender. Actors will only be considered for one show, even if they are in more than one per year, though they can be nominated more than once (but only once for each show).

Outstanding Director

All directors will be eligible for consideration for this award and will be judged on their perceived input on the  final show. Directors may be considered for more than one show annually if they manage that much work.

Outstanding Design

This category covers the design of a show; everything from set and costume to lighting and sound. The design is a cumulative effect, so if a show has amazing costumes and set but the sound is dire then it is all counted together, not individually and in that cast the sound is likely to harm the cause. Originality and innovation will be rewarded, as will genuine style and how well the design furthers the direction of the overall show.

Outstanding Musical

All shows billed as musicals will be considered in this category and will be assessed both on the credentials of a regular show and those generally more specific to musicals - those of choreography, musical direction and the quality of the songs themselves.

Outstanding Shakespeare

Shakespeare is a uniquely demanding and major part of theatrical practice. To celebrate this, I have created the Shakespeare category. This will include all forms of Shakespeare, including modern dress and modern speech as well as adaptations and re-tellings. All shows will be judged not only on their merits as a show but also on their relationship with the original material and its author.

Show of the Year 

Simply explained, this is the award for the show that I thought was the best that I had seen all year, judged on every facet of the production and performance and against everything else regardless of previous classifications. Shows in all categories compete for this one where only the single finest show will be listed. There are no nominations for this category; it's just a one-off award given to what I see as the standout show of the year.

Nominations and Results will be announced in the New Year.