Evening Standard Theatre Awards shortlist announced

Shortlists have been announced for this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards, with six RADA graduates nominated for awards.

Having won the award in 2016, Ralph Fiennes has again been nominated for Best Actor, this time for his performance as Antony in the current National Theatre production of Antony and Cleopatra. His co-star and fellow RADA graduate Sophie Okonedo has also been nominated for Best Actress for her performance as Cleopatra.

Also nominated for Best Actor is graduate Kyle Soller, who is shortlisted for his performance as Eric Glass in the critically acclaimed two-part play The Inheritance, currently playing at the Noel Coward Theatre after transferring to the West End from the Young Vic. The show is also nominated for Best Play.

Other nominees include graduate Robert Hastie, artistic director at Sheffield Theatres, who picks up a nomination for Best Director for his production of The York Realist at the Donmar Warehouse.

Finally, two recent graduates are nominated for the Emerging Talent Award: 2016 graduate Jamael Westman, who has been playing the title role in hit musical Hamilton since last year; and 2018 graduate Chris Walley, who earned acclaim for his West End debut as Davey in Michael Grandage's production of The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

The winners will be announced on Sunday 18 November at a ceremony at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For the full shortlists, visit the Evening Standard Theatre Awards website.