2005 Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards Announced in London

The winners of this year's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards in London were announced on January 31 at a ceremony hosted by the organization's chairman, Charles Spencer. No show was honoured with more than one award.

The Critics' Circle, established in 1913, is a professional association of critics of drama, music, the cinema, dance and art/architecture. Its objects are to promote the art of criticism and to uphold its integrity in practice, to foster and safeguard the interests of its members and to support the advancement of the arts. The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards were instituted in 1989. Here is a complete list of the winners:

Best New Play
Harvest by Richard Bean Royal Court Theatre

Best Musical new or revival
Billy Elliot The Musical Victoria Palace Theatre

Best Actor
Simon Russell Beale for The Philanthropist Donmar Warehouse Theatre

Best Actress
Eve Best for Hedda Gabler Almeida at the Duke of York's Theatre

The John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance
Kevin Spacey for Richard II Old Vic Theatre Company, London

Best Director
Michael Grandage for The Wild Duck Donmar Warehouse Theatre

Best Designer
Timothy Bird and David Farley for Sunday in the Park with George Menier Chocolate Factory

Most Promising Playwright
Laura Wade for Breathing Corpses and Colder Than Here Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre

The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer other than a playwright
Mariah Gale for 'Tis Pity She's a Whore Nevertheless Theatre Company at Southwark Playhouse