Musical Theatre Graduate Wins Newcomer Prize at The Pantomime Awards

By Gemma Cross

Posted

The UK Pantomime Association (UKPA) has named a Leeds Conservatoire graduate as one of the winners in The Pantomime Awards 2023.

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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.

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.

View the full list of award winners on the UKPA website

Find out more about our Musical Theatre course

Access information about all undergraduate and postgraduate Performing Arts courses at Leeds Conservatoire.

By Gemma Cross

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