The Bite Magazine - Autmn/Winter 2020 - Issue 28

bitetheatre Nicola Blackman returned to the stage to present an- other award, this time for Best Supporting Male Ac- tor in a Musical to Nicholas McLean for Wicked . The actor looked like he didn’t want to stop dancing and when he gave his speech, it was as if he was reciting lines from a play. He broke into a song thanking peo- ple that delighted the audience and made the evening even more enjoyable, while the band sang Sade’s ‘The Sweetest Taboo’. Founder and CEO of Impact Dance Hakeem Onibudo got his dance on before presenting the award for Best Dance Performance in a Dance Production to Ken- rick ‘H20’ Sandy. The calypso music performed by the band had the choreographer showing his moves as he approached the stage and danced with Hakeem. After all, it was a celebration of winning another accolade. Kenrick instructed the band to play garage music and spit (rapped) some ‘old school’ that was a highlight of the evening. Akosua Boakye, the founder of AkomAsa Performing Arts Academy, showed flexibility when she got down low and quickly came back up before dancing onto the stage to present the award for Best Recent Graduate to Tonye Scott-Obene from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. The winner dressed in a traditional African agbada robe in purple danced his heart out on the stage, exchanging a few moves with Akosua before taking the mic to thank everyone for his award. Martina Laird, known for her roles in Casualty and Holby City, presented the award for Best Male Actor in a Play to Valentine Olukoga for The Fishermen . He gave such a memorable speech that touched the heart. The actor explained he had been in- carcerated in 2012 at Brixton prison and when released, he eventually progressed into acting thanks to the support of his mother and broth- er. It left the evening on a high note with a cel- ebration of dancing to the band singing ‘Ain’t Nobody’ by Chakra Khan. The rest of the accolades were awarded to Adri- an Grant for Best Producer for Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre and Ingoma for Best Dance Production award for Ballet Black at the The- atre Royal Stratford East. Nari Blair-Manga was awarded Best Supporting Male Actor in a Play for Cyrano de Bergerac. At the same time, Cherrelle Skeete received the Best Supporting Cherrelle Skeete - photo by David Mensah Musical Director Recognition Awards Nominee Sean Green with LBGTQ+ Champion Award presenter and trans activist Kim Tatum - photo by David Mensah