The Finborough and Landor Theatres were amongst the biggest winners at the 2012 Off West End Theatre Awards, also known as the ‘Offies’. Launched in 2010 by Sofie Mason to “recognise and celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London”, the 2012 Offies were awarded in a ceremony at the Theatre Royal Stratford East hosted by Louise Jameson.

The Finborough’s revival of Emlyn Williams’s 1950 play Accolade, directed by Blanche McIntyre, picked up three awards, as did the Landor’s production of Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Terrence McNally’s musical, Ragtime. Dawn King won Most Promising New Playwright for the hugely acclaimed Foxfinder, which was also directed by McIntyre for the Finborough.

Vinette Robinson won Best Female Performer for her performance in Philip Ridley’s Tender Napalm, a production which will be returning to Southwark Playhouse in June. Non Zero One picked up Best Entertainment for This is Where We Got To When You Came In, their eloquent farewell to the old Bush Theatre. The Finborough’s Neil McPherson won best Artistic Director for his consistently ambitious programming at the Earl’s Court venue and Sam Walters was given a Special Achievement Award for his four decades of work at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.

The shortlist of finalists was drawn up by a panel including Mark Shenton, Ian Shuttleworth, Matt Wolf, Daisy Bowie-Sell, Andrzej Lukowski, Paul Vale, Roger Foss and Exeunt‘s Tom Wicker. Award presenters included Alex Jennings, Danny Webb, Alison Steadman and a deliciously barbed Richard Bean.

The full list of winners are:

Best New Play: Knot of The Heart by David Eldridge at the Almeida

Best Female Performance: Vinette Robinson for Tender Napalm at Southwark Playhouse

Best Male Performance: Aden Gillett in Accolade at the Finborough

Most Promising New Playwright: Dawn King for Foxfinder at the Finborough

Best Director: Blanche McIntyre for Accolade at the Finborough

Best Lighting Designer: Howard Hudson for Burlesque at Jermyn Street, Ragtime and The Hired Man at the Landor

Best Set Designer: Ruth Sutcliffe for Kingdom of Earth at The Print Room

Best Sound Designer: Neil Alexander for Snake in The Grass at The Print Room

Best Costume Designer: Martin Thomas for Ragtime at the Landor

Best Movement: Joe Darke for Bound at the Southwark Playhouse

Best Ensemble: Ragtime at the Landor

Best Production: Accolade at the Finborough

Best Production for Young People: The Tin Soldier by Tangere Arts at the Unicorn

Best Entertainment: This is Where We Got To When You Came In at the Bush

Best New Musical: Burlesque at Jermyn Street Theatre

Best Musical Production: The Hired Man at the Landor

Best Producer: Danielle Tarento

Best Artistic Director: Neil McPherson at the Finborough

Special Achievement Award: Sam Walters at the Orange Tree Theatre