The Stage

Winning ways at 11th Stage Awards for Acting Excellence

Published Tuesday 30 August 2005 at 14:05 by Liz Thomas

Veteran actor Timothy West and Ladyboys of Bangkok producer Carol Gandey were among more than 150 guests at the annual party for The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence, which mark the end of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Held at the Fruitmarket Gallery on Sunday, the accolades for Best Actor, Actress and Ensemble were presented by The Stage’s managing director Catherine Comerford.

An exuberant Phil Nichol picked up the gong for Best Actor for his performance in Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story at the Gilded Balloon. Saskia Schuck, who starred in Cage at the Pleasance, was named this year’s Best Actress.

The award for Best Ensemble went to The Corn Exchange for Dublin by Lamplight at the Traverse Theatre. Annie Ryan represented the group on the night as they were onstage at the time of the party.

Introducing the awards, news editor Jeremy Austin took the opportunity to remind guests of the importance of the fringe for the country’s theatre industry and called on funding bodies to ensure the event is heavily invested in. The Stage reviews team nominates award winners from more than 300 shows which they attend during the festival.