Finborough scoops theatre awards

The Finborough Theatre was the big winner at this year's Off West End Theatre Awards. The Earl's Court fringe venue won five prizes, including three for Emlyn Williams' 1950 drama Accolade, about a novelist whose private life is exposed. The revival won best male performance for Aden Gillett, best director for Blanche McIntrye and best production. The awards, affectionately known in the industry as The Offies, celebrate independent theatres across London. The Finborough's Neil McPherson was also recognised as best artistic director while Dawn King won most promising new playwright for Foxfinder. The Landor Theatre in Clapham picked up four awards - three of which were for its revival of Ragtime. The musical won best ensemble, best lighting and best costume, with The Hired Man also winning best musical production. Other winners included Vinette Robinson, who won the best female performance award for her role in Tender Napalm at Southwark Playhouse and Jermyn Street Theatre's Burlesque, which was named best new musical. Knot of The Heart, which examines a family struggling to deal with drug addiction, won best new play for David Eldridge at The Almeida. Sam Walters, the long-serving artistic director of The Orange Tree in Richmond, was also presented with a special achievement award at the ceremony at Theatre Royal Stratford East.