WL has previously sponsored the Awards Concert, where the available accolades include Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best New Play and Best Lighting Design, which is sponsored by WL and whose previous recipients include Mark Henderson, Adam Silverman and Hugh Vanstone.
Hannah Longman, commercial manager at WhatsOnStage, comments, "We are extremely fortunate to have companies such as WL sponsor the Awards. It is through their support that such an evening is made possible and we are extremely grateful for their contribution."
WL's managing director Bryan Raven comments, "Theatre is still very much at the heart of what we do. You just need to look over the past couple of months where we have supplied lighting for the London premiere of Photograph 51 starring Nicole Kidman along with the UK tours of Handbagged, Mary Poppins and The Shawshank Redemption. We also once again supplied the lighting equipment on the Rocky Horror Show at The Playhouse Theatre - 42 years after we supplied the original production at the Royal Court Theatre."
The WhatsOnStage Awards' official charity is the Kevin Spacey Foundation, which enables the creation of new work via KSF Grants, designs bespoke education opportunities through KSF Learning, and offers subsidized university places via KSF Scholarships. Hannah adds, "What's great about this event is that it not only celebrates the nation's favourite theatre but also supports the artists and companies that are the future of the theatre industry."
This year's concert marks the 16th anniversary of the Awards, and promises to be the biggest one yet. Nominations open on 30 October and close on 27 November. A shortlist will be announced on 3 December, at which point the public voting will also open. This will close on 31 January before the winners are announced at the Awards Concert itself on 21 February 2016.
(Jim Evans)
