Jodie Comer Named Best Actress at UK’s WhatOnStage Awards

Jodie Comer poses for photographers at the premiere of the film "The Last Duel" in London, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)
Jodie Comer poses for photographers at the premiere of the film "The Last Duel" in London, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)
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Jodie Comer Named Best Actress at UK’s WhatOnStage Awards

Jodie Comer poses for photographers at the premiere of the film "The Last Duel" in London, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)
Jodie Comer poses for photographers at the premiere of the film "The Last Duel" in London, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. (AP)

“Killing Eve” star Jodie Comer was named best actor at London’s WhatsOnStage awards, where female performers dominated acting categories.

Comer won for her performance as a lawyer dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault in one-person show “Prima Facie,” which is due to open on Broadway in April.

At Sunday’s awards Gwyneth Keyworth was named best supporting performer in a play for the role of Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

A revival of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theater scored acting prizes for Courtney Bowman, as best performer in a musical, and Lauren Drew as best supporting performer.

Lucy Jones won the prize for best takeover of a role, for “Wicked.” The sole male acting winner was Joe Locke, who won best professional debut for “The Trials.”

“Bonnie & Clyde the Musical,” a decade-old Broadway flop revived to acclaim in London’s West End, was named best new musical. An edgy, stripped down production of “Oklahoma!” that came to London after a hit run in New York was named best musical revival.

The night’s biggest winner was “My Neighbor Totoro,” an adaption of a classic Studio Ghibli animated film, which took five prizes including best direction for Phelim McDermott.

The awards, now in their 23rd year, are sponsored by theater website WhatsOnStage.com and are decided by public vote.



'Barbie' Director Gerwig Honored by 'Terrifying' Movie Industry

Greta Gerwig was honored at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation gala, which raises funds to support movie industry workers suffering injury or illness. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Greta Gerwig was honored at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation gala, which raises funds to support movie industry workers suffering injury or illness. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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'Barbie' Director Gerwig Honored by 'Terrifying' Movie Industry

Greta Gerwig was honored at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation gala, which raises funds to support movie industry workers suffering injury or illness. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Greta Gerwig was honored at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation gala, which raises funds to support movie industry workers suffering injury or illness. Amy Sussman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"Barbie" director Greta Gerwig paid tribute to risk-takers in the "terrifying" entertainment industry as she was honored for her pioneering filmmaking at a prestigious Hollywood gala on Wednesday.
Gerwig, 41, is the first-ever female director to make a $1 billion movie, and all three of her solo directorial movies to date -- "Lady Bird,Little Women" and "Barbie" -- have been nominated for best picture at the Oscars.
"A showperson is the only person I've ever wanted to be," she said, as she was named Pioneer of the Year at the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation gala in Beverly Hills, AFP said.
"I wanted to be one of those people who are a little bit wild, a little bit on the edge and filled with a kind of joyful madness.
"I think pioneer is the right word."
Gerwig's most recent artistic gamble paid off as her $1.4 billion-grossing feminist satire "Barbie" became the top-grossing movie of 2023.
Improbably based on the popular doll franchise, but given unusual creative license, the film's success came at a crucial time for an increasingly risk-averse industry reeling from the pandemic, strikes and swingeing job cuts.
The film, alongside Christopher Nolan's Oscar-sweeping "Oppenheimer," was widely credited with keeping the movie theater industry afloat last year.
Gerwig is reportedly set to write and direct two Netflix film adaptations of C.S. Lewis's "The Chronicles of Narnia."
"There are easier ways to make money, and there are less terrifying businesses, but there are none that are more exciting and filled with as much joy and wonder," she said.
Wednesday's Pioneer of the Year gala raises funds to support movie industry workers suffering injury or illness.