Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Jordan Metcalfe, Jack Absolute Flies Again
The bendy legs! The physical comedy was a significant part of the huge charm of Metcalfe’s performance as the sweetly romantic Roy Faulkland but there was real heart there too that brought pathos along with the pratfalls.
Honourable mention: Paapa Essiedu, A Number
Though it came early in the year, I often thought about the layers of Essiedu’s work as the clones in the Old Vic’s smart take of this oft-revived play.
Paul Bazely, The Father and the Assassin
David Fynn, Much Ado About Nothing
Hans Kesting, A Little Life
Minne Koole, Age of Rage
Joseph Millson, Noises Off
8-10
Fisayo Akinade, The Crucible; Alexander Hanson, Noises Off; Karl Johnson, The Crucible
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
John Owen-Jones, The Great British Bake Off – The Musical
For a performer so closely identified with (certain) leading men role, seeing Owen-Jones cut loose with this Paul Hollywood take-off was a sheer delight and I’m stoked that he’s stayed with the show for its West End opening coming very soon.
Honourable mention: Joe Caffrey, Billy Elliot
I’m a sucker for a sweet story as Joe Caffrey returns to the show in which he originated the role of Billy’s brother Tony, to now play his father, but the power of his deeply emotive performance stands on its own (pointed) feet regardless.
Sharif Afifi, The Band’s Visit
Peter Polycarpou, The Band’s Visit
Alistair Toovey, Legally Blonde
Patrick Vaill, Oklahoma!
Zubin Varla, Tammy Faye
8-10
Tom Edden, Crazy For You; Haydn Oakley, Anything Goes; David Seadon-Young, Love is Only Love
