Rose and Nicholls are winners at Clarence Derwent Awards

Published Thursday 3 December 2009 at 11:30 by Alistair Smith

Clifford Rose and Phoebe Nicholls have been named winners of the 2009 Clarence Derwent Awards for performers in supporting roles in the West End.

Clifford Rose and Phoebe Nicholls with Equity president Graham Hamilton (centre)

The pair (pictured above with Equity president Graham Hamilton, centre) were presented with their awards at a ceremony at the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre. Rose was chosen for his performance in The Chalk Garden at the Donmar Warehouse, while Nicholls was recognised for her roles in both Waste at the Almeida Theatre and The Vortex at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

Clarence Derwent was a London-born actor, director and manager who was president of American Actors’ Equity from 1946-52. He established awards for supporting actors in both the West End and Broadway, and the UK awards have been running since 1948. They are administered by Equity. Previous winners include Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and Timothy West.