Red Carpet International

Friday, January 27, 2017

THE STAGE AWARDS 2017: THE WINNERS IN FULL

Courtesy of https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/stage-awards-2017-winners-full/

Regional theatre of the year  sponsored by Evolution Productions
Winner: Sheffield Theatres
Also nominated – Bristol Old Vic; Mercury Theatre, Colchester

London theatre of the year sponsored by Managed Networks
Winner: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Also nominated – Menier Chocolate Factory; The Old Vic

Fringe theatre of the year sponsored by encoreinsure.com
Winner: New Diorama Theatre, London
Also nominated – Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester; The Hope, London

Theatre building of the year  sponsored by Audience Systems
Winner: King’s Cross Theatre, London
Also nominated – Liverpool Royal Court; Tara Theatre, London

Producer of the year  sponsored by PRG XL Video
Winner: Sonia Friedman Productions
Also nominated – Fiery Angel, Kenny Wax Productions

School of the year  sponsored by TodayTix
Winner: Musical Theatre Academy, London
Also nominated – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff; Urdang Academy, London

International award  sponsored by Ambassador Theatre Group
Winner: Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures
Also nominated – Big in Belgium season at Edinburgh Festival Fringe; Graeae Theatre Company

Sustainability award  sponsored by GDS
Winner: Tara Theatre, London
Also nominated – London Theatre Consortium; The Handlebards

Innovation award  sponsored by Charcoalblue
Winner: Complicite
Also nominated – Les Enfants Terribles and Emma Brunjes Productions; New Diorama Theatre, London

Unsung hero  sponsored by White Light
Ned Seago

Mannix star Mike Connors dead at 91

Mannix star Mike Connors dead at 91

The actor played the famous square-jawed detective in the 1970s hit show, known for driving high speed cars and not taking advice.

Courtesy of http://news.sky.com/story/mannix-star-mike-connors-dead-at-91-10744277

Mike Connors, known for his role as a hard-hitting private eye in the long-running TV series Mannix, has died aged 91.

The actor, who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia, died on Thursday afternoon at a Los Angeles hospital.

Mannix, one of TV's pioneer shows, premiered on CBS in 1967 and ran for eight years, and won Connors a Golden Globe for his role as detective Joe Mannix.

Chasing after villains, driving high-speed cars and listening to no-one but himself, Connors said Mannix stood out for getting "emotionally involved" in his cases.

"Up until Mannix, most private investigators were hard-nosed, cynical guys who lived in a seedy area and had no emotions," Connors told CBS in 1997.

"Mannix got emotionally involved. He was not above being taken advantage of."

Viewers were intrigued by the smartly dressed, square-jawed, well-spoken Los Angeles detective who could still mix it up with thugs.

Leaping from car hoods and getting his hands dirty, Mannix usually finished off the episode with a brawl.

Apart from the hit show, Connors also starred in the short-lived TV shows Tightrope and Today's FBI.

His movie roles included Sudden Fear with Joan Crawford, Island in the Sky, 'The Ten Commandments, and a remake of the 1939 classic John Ford western Stagecoach.

The actor was born Krekor Ohanian in 1925 from an Armenian family.

He served in the Air Force during World War II and played basketball at the University of California.

Recently, he appeared in several TV shows like Two And A Half Men, Murder, She Wrote and Walker, The Texas Ranger.

He also starred in CBS' documentary series Pioneers Of Television.

Stars have shared their condolences on social media, with Daredevil actor Vincent D'Onofrio writing: "Loved Mannix. Great actor Mike Connors. Watched every episode."

And Ash Vs Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell thanking Connors "for guiding me through the formative years".

"Well played," he added.

Connors is survived by his wife Mary Lou, daughter Dena, and granddaughter Cooper.