Paddington musical dominates WhatsOnStage awards

Paddington The Musical has dominated the WhatsOnStage Awards, winning nine prizes after its triumphant launch in the West End last year.

The show, based on Michael Bond's original children's books and the recent film adaptations, was a hit with fans and received rave reviews from critics after its debut at the Savoy Theatre in November.

The marmalade-loving bear's nine trophies are the most ever for a new musical, and equal the joint record previously set by Miss Saigon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Winners in the acting categories, meanwhile, included Rachel Zegler, Jonathan Bailey, Amber Davies and Sir Stephen Fry.

Reflecting on the winners, Darius Thompson and Alex Wood of WhatsOnStage said: "The voters really did look after that Bear!"

"Paddington's record-setting awards haul has firmly cemented it as a fan-favourite new addition to the West End."

Held at the London Palladium, the WhatsOnStage Awards have been running since 2001 and are voted for by the general public.

Paddington's wins included best new musical and best professional debut for 17-year-old actor Timi Akinyosade, as well as prizes for its direction, costumes, make-up and sound.

US actress Rachel Zegler, best known for West Side Story and Snow White, won two prizes - best concert event for Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium, and best performer in a musical for Evita.

Jamie Lloyd's adaptation of the Eva Perón-inspired musical hit the headlines last year thanks to a stunt which saw Zegler leave the stage every night, to perform Don't Cry For Me Argentina, from the London Palladium's outdoor balcony.

It drew large crowds to the concourse outside the theatre at each performance, while the ticket-buyers indoors watched the performance live-streamed on a large screen. Evita won five prizes overall including best musical revival.

Referring to Paddington and Evita's wins, Wood and Thompson said: "From bears to balconies – it's no surprise to see Rachel Zegler amongst the starry line-up of winners following her al fresco performance at this very venue last summer."

Other winners included Bridgerton and Wicked star Jonathan Bailey, who was recognised for his leading role in a modern-dress production of Shakespeare's Richard II.

He held off competition in a star-packed category from Tom Hiddleston, Joe Locke, Ncuti Gatwa, Maxine Peake and Rosamund Pike.

Recent Strictly contestant Amber Davies was named best supporting actor in a musical for The Great Gatsby, which concluded shortly before she joined the BBC dance competition.

And Sir Stephen Fry won best supporting performer in a play for his role in a revival of The Importance of Being Earnest, which also starred Olly Alexander.

Best performer in a play - Jonathan Bailey, Richard II

Best performer in a musical - Rachel Zegler, Evita

Best supporting performer in a play - Stephen Fry, The Importance of Being Earnest

Best supporting performer in a musical - Amber Davies, The Great Gatsby

Best professional debut - Timi Akinyosade, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best takeover of an existing role - Emma Kingston, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Best child performance - Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Artie Wilkinson-Hunt and Anton Vehring, The Land of the Living

Best new play - The Comedy About Spies

Best new musical - Paddington The Musical

Best play revival - Richard II

Best musical revival - Evita

Best West End show - Les Misérables

Best regional production - 13 Going on 30 The Musical

Best concert event - Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium

Best studio production - Young Frankenstein, Hope Mill Theatre

Best direction - Luke Sheppard, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best choreography - Fabian Aloise, Evita, The London Palladium

Best set design - Tom Pye, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best costume design - Gabrielle Slade and Tahra Zafar, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best lighting design - Jon Clark, Evita, The London Palladium

Best sound design - Gareth Owen, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best video design - Jamie Lloyd, Nick Ward, David Anderson, Evita, The London Palladium

Wigs, hair and make-up design - Campbell Young Associates, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best music direction or supervision - Matt Brind, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre

Best casting direction - Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday, Annabelle Davis,Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre