The following awards were announced midday Friday 25 January 2008, and presented at The Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB on Monday 25 February 08, by Emma Taylor, John Park, and Tufty Gordon.

(Listed in alpha order within categories)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS (alpha order by surname)

Brian Attwood - Editor

Citation: 'The award reflects the remarkable work of Brian Attwood in his editorship of The Stage. It recognises his imagination, personal warmth, art of written language, leadership, and his understanding of people who create entertainment and of the readership. His outstanding talents have enabled him to take The Stage through a fundamental transformation and create a modern benchmark for the trade, and a popularly-read international publication of the 21st Century'

Sound clip of speech

Nica Burns - Comedy
(Award Director of the if.comedy Awards, and previously of the Perrier Awards)

(Citation will be added when award presented)

Malcolm Hay - Writer - Comedy
(Longstanding Comedy Editor of Time Out, and previously drama reviewer)

(Citation will be added when award presented)

Derek Malcolm - Writer

Citation: 'The award salutes Derek Malcolm - expert, analyst, critic, inspirer; through the brilliance of his writing, his enthusiasm and cogent exploration of the medium, millions have learnt to look at film in a new way, and delight in what they see'

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Geoffrey Wansell - Writer

Citation: 'The award celebrates the magnificence of Geoffrey Wansell, writer in literature and journalism. It reflects his range: The Times's first rock review, analysis of playwrights Terence Rattigan, John Osborne; reportage of the Frederick West and Soham murders; coal-face news journalism and reflective features on every issue of the day; all in language that redefines the art of how English can be written'

Sound clip of speech

Martin Witts - Director & Programmer - Theatre & Entertainment

Citation: 'The award reflects the astonishing work of Martin Witts in transforming The Arts Theatre, London into the most exciting theatre in the West End; a centre of excellence, imagination - and fun. It recognises the enormous scope and depth of his knowledge of all aspects of the entertainment and theatrical professions and his ability to pass this on to creators, audiences and performers - with a warmth, creativity, enthusiasm and kindness that enable others to do great things'

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PRODUCTIONS (alpha order)

Aleksandra
(English title - Alexandra, made 2007)
Best Feature Film
(All Involved)

Citation: 'The award reflects the brilliance, warmth and insight of this artistic, profound, intense and moving study of human relationships. It recognises the remarkable work of director and writer Aleksandr Sokurov; the warm, delightful and charismatic central performance of Galina Vishnevskaya; the evocative and compelling performances of all the cast; the romantic, mood-evoking design, photography and editing; all of which combine to deliver an unforgettable masterpiece'

Sound clip of speech

Hotel World
Best Play
(All Involved)

Citation: 'The award reflects the excellence of this poignant, light-handed, profound piece of theatre; elegantly-staged with superb acting, direction, production and adaptation from Ali Smith's moving novel; from an enlightened cast and company'

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I Am Bob
(made 2007)
Best Short Film
(All Involved)

Presented 7 May 08, Fringe Report office

Citation: 'The award celebrates I Am Bob, the funniest film of this and many other years. It reflects the gifted excellence of all involved including direction and the remarkable script by Donald Rice; all the talented crew; and sublime performances by Bob Geldof, David Bamber, Brian Conley and all the superb cast'

Tricycle Theatre
Best Venue Production
for: Moonlight & Magnolias

Citation: 'The award recognises a joyous venue production by Tricycle Theatre, delivered at breakneck speed from the very first line, and never at the expense of absolute professionalism. The production reflects expertise from every one of the cast and the production team alike, with great performances and perfect comedy timing'

Sound clip of speech

New Steine, Gulliver's, Valentina Gomez, Lisa Marsh, Victoria Wainwright
Artist and Gallery Award
Joint Award:
Gallery - New Steine Hotel & Gulliver's Hotel (Owners, Management & Staff)
(alpha order:)
Artist - Valentina Gomez
Artist - Lisa Marsh
Artist - Victoria Wainwright
for: their Brighton Fringe 2007 Exhibitions

'The award is for the superb exhibitions mounted between the New Steine Hotel and Gulliver's Hotel and each of the artists (alpha order) Valentina Gomez, Lisa Marsh, Victoria Wainwright, during Brighton Fringe 2007; for the excellence of the art, excellence in displaying the work in informal and intimate contact with guests and the public, and the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff and management in the hotels in presenting and promoting the work of the artists'

The Pleasance
Best Venue Launch
for: Press Launch, Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007
(All Involved)

Citation: 'The award reflects the outstanding press launch for The Pleasance's Edinburgh Fringe 2007 season; the excellence of the acts both in themselves and in putting across a key summary of the venue's programme for press; in pace and timing of the event; in choice of venues for the show and after-event; in the organisation and siting of the after-show lunch to make contact between press and perfomers easy and relaxed; in information and availability of key staff; in overall panache. In a strongly competitive, well-presented set of launches by all the venues - the best'

The Terrible Infants
Best Entertainment
(All involved)

Citation: 'The award reflects the shock, teasing and glorious orginality of The Terrible Infants. It recognises the excellence of the performers, creators, company and crew, in creating fabulous, colourful and stunning delight'

PEOPLE (alpha order by surname)

Michelle Abbey & Kim Morgan
Best Audience Developer
(Joint Award)

Citation: 'The award recognises the remarkable work of (alpha order) Michelle Abbey & Kim Morgan, both together and in their separate companies, in introducing entirely new groups of people and individuals to theatre and the arts. It reflects their crucial work towards social inclusion and harmony, undertaken with affection and dedication'

The Blue Room
Best Meeting Place
The Blue Room Café, 3 Bateman Street, Soho, London W1V 5TT
Hilde and Sab Nakkash

Citation: 'The award reflects the dedication, hard work, kindness and flair of Hilde & Sab Nakkash in creating and warmly hosting a wonderful place in the centre of London where the public, friends, tourists, and people in the arts and film can meet, cast their productions, do deals, write scripts, read books, write books, linger, be quietly fussed over, and eat and drink fabulous fresh food and coffee at the low budget people in the arts can actually afford'

Janey Godley
Best Performer

Citation: 'The award reflects Janey Godley's wonderful personality and amazing range of talents, as chat-show host, author, very funny comedian, and most essentially as Janey Godley. There is only one, and she's the best'

Peter Buckley Hill
Best Fringe Regenerator

Citation: 'The award celebrates the magnificent Peter Buckley Hill, comedian, actor, leader, and inspiration to others - a man of so many talents, abused guitars, frogs and small animals in a bag, that no single award could be enough. This one reflects his work regenerating the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with The Free Fringe, hard-wiring the Fringe back to its roots, locking new talent and the public together at low or nil cost'

Declan Hill, Kev F Sutherland, Simon Wright
Best Encourager of Talent
Joint Award:
Kev F Sutherland - Creator
Declan Hill & Simon Wright - Producers
for: The Sitcom Trials

Citation: 'The award celebrates the triumph of The Sitcoms Trials 2007 as a gateway for exciting new television and theatrical talent. It recognises the hard work over many years, imagination and persistence of creator Kev F Sutherland; the inspirational and reviving creativity of its 2007 producers (alpha order) Declan Hill & Simon Wright; and the working together of the three with each other, and with actors, writers and directors to create a sensational outburst of fun'

Philip Ilson & Kate Taylor
Best Festival Director
for: The London Short Film Festival
Joint Award

Citation: 'The award reflects the imagination, dedication and hard work of (alpha order) Philip Ilson & Kate Taylor in evolving the London Short Film Festival into the definitive European screening of the best short films, and focus of assembly for the people who make them'

Tom Meeten and Steve Oram
Best Comedy Team
for: Oram & Meeten

Citation: 'The award is in thanks for the joy (alpha order) Tom Meeten and Steve Oram bring into so many lives with their alter-egos Oram & Meeten. There is no category for the comedy of Oram & Meeten - they are simply incredibly funny; two outstanding individual actors who combine to make a sensational team'

Hannah Oldman
Best Agent

Citation: 'The award reflects the immense dedication, loyalty and effectiveness of Hannah Oldman to and on behalf of her clients, and in the advancement of the industry'

Ann-Kristin Reyels
Best Film Director
Award accepted by Dr Anne-Marie Schleich, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, for Ann-Kristin Reyels

Citation: 'The award reflects the deft, thoughtful, imaginative and artistic work of Ann-Kristin Reyels in her direction of Jagdhunde, her remarkable exploration of human relationships and the borderline between what dwells in the unspoken world - here literally and metaphorically - and the concrete'

Liz Sutherland
Best Actor

Citation: 'The award reflects Liz Sutherland’s stunning performance in the Typhoon Live! tour of Dogs. It recognises her extraordinary versatility; slipping seamlessly, from one contradictory facet of a complex character to another; delivered with energy and finesse, at a remarkable pace. A virtuoso display of the actor's art'

Brett Vincent
Best Promoter

Citation: 'At The Underbelly, they call him simply, 'The Geezer'. To everyone in the business, Brett Vincent is the tireless and infectiously enthusiastic promoter of every act he's ever represented, astonishingly hardworking and effective, and generally with a smile on his face. This award is to thank Brett Vincent for existing'

Andrea zur Strassen
Best Salon Mistress

Citation: 'The award reflects the remarkable achievement of Andrea zur Strassen in creating and being the centre of The Nomads, a friendly social network of people from other countries working in London, whether passing through or staying; an imaginative idea for friendship and enjoyment brought to practicality and excellence by the inspirational qualities of tipping-point and salon mistress Andrea zur Strassen'

AWARDS CEREMONY 25 FEBRUARY 2008