MTM:UK Edinburgh Festival Fringe Musical Theatre Awards

Other Awards 2008 pages: Critera | Eligible Shows | Reviews

Nominations for this year's awards were announced on Saturday 16 August 2008 at George Square 1, 10.00am-11.00am by Dr. Nick Phillips, Co-Chair of the Awards Panel and Head of Musical Theatre at LIPA. Click here to download his full accompanying statement.

Winners were announced on Friday 22 August 2008 at the Scotsman's Fringe Firsts Awards ceremony at Assembly @ George Street, 10.00am-11.30am. They were presented by Phillips and West End star Frances Ruffelle. Winners are indicated in the categories below:

MTM:UK Award for BEST BOOK for a NEW MUSICAL

DEPARTURE LOUNGE – Dougal Irvine
THE JONAH BOY – Jane Buckler
ON THE ISLAND OF AARS – Chris Larner

Note: The judging panel, this year, decided not to give an award in the Best Book for a New Musical. Whilst a highly unusual decision, the judges felt that there were no Musicals with a book of a high enough quality at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2008. Instead, the move to withhold the Best Book award is hoped to be seen to set a certain bar for next year which we hope companies, bringing Musical Theatre to next year’s festival, will feel challenged to strive to achieve.

MTM:UK Award for BEST LYRICS for a NEW MUSICAL

* BARBERSHOPERA! – Tom Green and Rob Castell *
DEPARTURE LOUNGE – Dougal Irvine
ON THE ISLAND OF AARS – Chris Larner
TONY OF ARABIA – Chris Bush

MTM:UK Award for BEST MUSIC for a NEW MUSICAL

* DEPARTURE LOUNGE – Dougal Irvine *
THE JONAH BOY – Richard Taylor
ONLY THE BRAVE – Matthew Brind
ON THE ISLAND OF AARS – Mark Stevens

OD Musical Award for MOST PROMISING NEW MUSICAL

* BARBERSHOPERA! – Tom Green and Rob Castell *
DEPARTURE LOUNGE – Dougal Irvine
ONLY THE BRAVE – Matthew Brind (music/lyrics), Stephen Coleman (book/lyrics) and Rachel Wagstaff (book)
ON THE ISLAND OF AARS – Mark Stevens (music) and Chris Larner (book/lyrics)

Dress Circle Award for BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION

BARBERSHOPERA! – Rob Castell, Tom Green and Sarah Tipple
DEPARTURE LOUNGE – West End International, Newpalm Productions & Andy Barnes Productions
* FUNK IT UP ABOUT NOTHIN’ – Chicago Shakespeare Theater *
ON THE ISLAND OF AARS – Quuup Productions and James Seabright for Festival Highlights

At the nominations announcement, the panel wished to note the following achievements.

  • The willingness to find authentic voices in the use of music and song in one-person narratives: THE QUEEN OF WYOMING - Maggie Simpson; COMING UP FOR AIR - Stan Strickland (both at George 2)
  • The promise in the theatre songwriting and writing team of Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger for JET SET GO! as well as the work of director, Luke Sheppard, and the Producer, Margot Johnston, in presenting the season of work by Take Note Theatre at George 2.
  • The best achievement in writing for children THE GRUFFALO at C too.
  • The overall theatrical effectiveness and production value of SA-CHOOM! At George 1.

At the winners announcement, the panel wished to note the following achievements.

  • Reiteration of the commendation for JET SET GO! at George 2 (see above).
  • The performance by DARREN BROWNLIE in The Jonah Boy at George 4.
  • The performance by LAURA MAIN in On The Island of Aars at Pleasance Courtyard.