The UK Pantomime Association (UKPA) has named a Leeds Conservatoire graduate as one of the winners in The Pantomime Awards 2023.
Neha Eapen, who graduated from the conservatoire’s Musical Theatre course in 2022, won Best Early Career Newcomer for her pantomime debut in Cinderella at Leeds’ Carriageworks Theatre. Neha played the role of Fairy Godmother. Ahead of the production, in this website feature, Neha described her as “a grand character with fancy dresses and magic up her sleeves.”
The star-studded ceremony took place on 11 April at the Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End. The ceremony was hosted by the UKPA’s President Christopher Biggins. The Pantomime Awards presenters included Nigel Clarke, Max Fulham, Derek Griffiths, Amanda Lovett and Theo Mayne, Debbie McGee, Gracie McGonigal, Scott Mitchell and Vikki Stone. There were performances from Anna-Jane Casey, Gigi Zahir, Myra DuBois and a specially curated performance from the principal sponsor Butlin’s.
Neha Eapen performing as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. Photo credit: Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds
Su Pollard was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement Award for her many decades of passion and commitment to treading the boards in pantomimes around the country.
The Special Recognition Awards, which celebrate productions and individuals representing the values that the Association seeks to promote, were given to Ian McKellen for passionate advocacy and services to the artform of pantomime, Cast, Doncaster, for their ongoing commitment to integrated BSL signing in pantomime and Theatre Royal Stratford East for their continued innovative and inclusive practice in the field of pantomime.
The full list of award winners, including Neha, is available here.
Simon Sladen, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association said, “Congratulations to all our nominees and winners. The Pantomime Awards celebrate an array of outstanding talent and demonstrate an industry alive and thriving. The commitment, creativity and passion on show each season makes pantomime one of the most thrilling of all theatrical genres. The UK Pantomime Association is proud to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding skill, expertise and excellence upon the pantomime stage.”
Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.
During the 2022/23 pantomime season, the second year in which The Pantomime Awards have taken place, the UK Pantomime Association’s 64 judges attended over 240 venues to see over 700 performances across the United Kingdom.
