Graduate winners at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2024

Congratulations to the RADA graduates who were nominated at this year's WhatsOnStage Awards. Special congratulations to James Norton, Luke Thompson, Aimee Lou Wood and Rufus Norris who won in their respective categories.

James Norton won the Best Performer in a Play for his portrayal of Jude in A Little Life, the stage adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara's Book-nominated novel of the same name. Also cast in the production, Luke Thompson won Best Supporting Performer in a Play for his characterisation of Willem, Jude's closest friend.

BAFTA-winner Aimee Lou Wood won Best Takeover Performance for her run as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club. Of Aimee's performance, Alex Wood (WhatsOnStage) writes: "[She] injects a genuine sense of dedication and affection - it makes the show's ending all the more tragic."

Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre, picked up the award for Services to UK Theatre. During his time at the National Theatre, Rufus has directed a broad range of productions including Everyman featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor and the Sleeping Beauty inspired musical Hex. He is currently overseeing the world premiere of Nye featuring fellow RADA graduate Michael Sheen as Nye Bevan. His award comes on a night where the National Theatre was nominated for a total of 24 WhatsOnStage Awards across a number of productions.

The winners of the WhatsOnStage Awards are voted for by the public. You can see the full list of winners here.