Every lead performance needs their supporting performers and ensemble. Often underappreciated, supporting performances can make or break a show, and this year has some particularly striking and show stealing supporting performances!
Here is the team's round up of our favourite sidekicks.
Jack Wolfe | Next to Normal
"From yet another tear-filled musical (for all the right reasons), this performer truly made a statement in their West End debut, which garnered well-deserved audience and critical acclaim. With a voice that soars across the auditorium and among the most charismatic character portrayals in contemporary musical theatre, Jack Wolfe has delivered one of the most impactful performances I've seen this year and I'm hoping for a further life with Next To Normal sometime soon"
Wyman
"I am so excited to see what’s next for Jack Wolfe following his fantastic portrayal of Gabe in Next To Normal. Even more mind blowing that he should have been sat in the audience on the opening night, not slaying those vocals on ‘I’m Alive’."
Jordan
Jaydon Vijn | Starlight Express
"Jaydon Vijn is so utterly iconic that Andrew Lloyd Webber himself had written a new character for Jaydon in the 2024 London revival of Starlight Express. Vijn as Hydrogen not only boosts the show, but the love (and deserved egotistical sarcasm) he has for the character make it hard not to just watch him the entire show. (Slightly biased as I do work as FOH at the Troubadour Theatre)."
Oviya
Rachel Clare Chan | Your Lie in April
"Rachel Clare Chan was really charismatic as Tsubaki in Your Lie In April, an adorably tough tom boy who's unrequited love and fierce loyalty made her character so brilliant. Rachel is super talented, as demonstrated by her show stealing number "Where Is My Superhero?".
Oviya
Melanie La Barrie | Hadestown
"I genuinely think my experience of Hadestown would not have been the same if I hadn’t seen Melanie La Barrie as Hermes. She is outstanding in the role and her presence is always felt on the stage throughout the whole show, even when she’s not in the scene. Such a beautiful actress and wonderful in every single thing she does."
Ally
"La Barrie puts her entire heart and soul into this incredibly special performance where it feels as though she is simply playing her special, heartwarming self telling a story of truth."
Benjamin
Lara Denning | & Juliet UK and Ireland Tour
"It feels strange designating Anne Hathaway as a supporting role as she is so integral to the plot of & Juliet, and Lara Denning ensures the audience’s eyes are drawn to her whenever she is onstage. Her stunning rendition of That’s The Way It Is will not leave a dry eye in the house."
Julie
Jonathan Hume | Guys and Dolls
"I love Jonathan Hume's character in Guys and Dolls, his portrayal is just amazing. His comedic timing and ability to play with tones of voices are just perfect! Not to mention his rendition of ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,’ which gets more and more phenomenal every time."
Emma
Josh Barnett | Cruel Intentions
"Josh Barnett had a small role as Blaine in Cruel Intentions but his camp and passionate performance made the show that extra bit special for me. He brought so much showmanship to the show with his dance and vocal talents as well, and became one of my favourite parts of the show."
Oviya
Freema Agyeman | Romeo & Juliet
"A performance of two halves in regards to emotions portrayed, the Nurse’s extroverted and flirtatious nature in the first act made the immense, stifled, grief Freema Agyeman brought to the role in the second more heartbreaking and surprising."
Benjamin
Tom Xander | Mean Girls
"Tom Xander perfectly embodies Damian in Mean Girls and his loveable charm, carrying the story forwards with his comedic narration and energy. He delivers an awe-inspiring performance in the musical numbers."
Katie
George Renshaw | Dorian
"I had seen about 20 seconds of George Renshaw as Lord Harry at West End Live on behalf of Dorian before knowing I would love the show. His sin-loving, self-indulgent, slick and charm paired with gorgeous vocals made him such an irresistible character."
Oviya
Allie Daniel | Hadestown
"I've been a huge fan of Allie Daniel since RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre and she gives such a captivating performance as Fate in Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre. Particularly in songs like "Doubt Comes In", Allie displays incredible vocals and is so spellbinding!"
Vicky
Let us know your favourite supporting performers of 2024 and check out the rest of our categories of AIT's Twelve Days of Christmas in the blog section..
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