The Offies, London’s Off-West End Awards, have announced their 2021 nominees. The winners will be unveiled February 21 in a digital ceremony. With an insufficient number of nominations due to theater closures caused by the pandemic, several categories will not be recognized this year, including costume design, video design, company ensemble, new musical, and opera. Off-West End Director Geoffrey Brown said, “In spite of live theater being closed for most of 2020, there were still some fantastic shows.” Leading the count are the musical revivals The Last 5 Years (book, music, lyrics by Jason Robert Brown) at the Southwark Playhouse and Rags (book by Joseph Stein, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) at the Park Theatre, each with six nominations.
The Last 5 Years was nominated for director (Jonathan O’Boyle), lead performance (Molly Lynch as Cathy Hiatt), lead performance (Oli Higginson as Jamie Wellerstein), musical director (George Dyer), lighting (Jamie Platt), and production (Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment). Rags earned nominations for director (Bronagh Lagan), lead performance (Carolyn Maitland as Rebecca Hershkowitz), musical director (Joe Bunker), supporting performance (Dave Willetts as Avram Cohen), supporting performance (Rachel Izen as Rachel Brodsky), and production (Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment).
The revival of Pippin (book by Roger O. Hirson, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz) at Garden Theatre at the Eagle received three nominations: ensemble performance, musical director (Michael Bradley), and production (LAMBCO Productions). The remaining musical nods went to Frances Barber (lead performance in Musik), Beaux Harris (supporting performance in Blitz!), The Canary and the Crow (ensemble performance), and Jay Andrews (set for Lockdown Town).
IDEA (Innovative-Devised-Experimental-Atypical) Performance nominees include the cast of When It Breaks It Burns and FK Alexander of I Could Go on Singing. IDEA Production nominees include I Could Go on Singing and Sound Cistem.