News: North East Talent Shines on National Stage: Local Writer Sarah Bond Nominated for Prestigious Award

North East Talent Shines on National Stage: Local Writer Sarah Bond Nominated for Prestigious Award

The North East is once again making its mark on the national theatre map. The Stage Debut Awards — the UK’s leading celebration of breakthrough theatre talent — has announced its 2025 nominees, and among them is the region's own Sarah Bond, recognised in the Best Writer category for her play Seagulls and Sad, Sad Stories at Whitley Bay's Laurels.

For a venue that has quickly built a reputation as one of the region’s most vibrant creative hubs, Laurels’ presence in this year’s shortlist feels symbolic. Opened only a few years ago, Laurels has carved out a distinctive identity for championing new writing and comedy, giving emerging artists a space to take risks and develop their voice. What began as a small, ambitious venture in the heart of Whitley Bay is now firmly on the national theatre radar — thanks in no small part to the work of artists like Bond.

Bond’s nomination places the North East centre stage alongside London’s Almeida, the National Theatre, and even Broadway-bound productions. It’s a reminder that stories forged here on our coastline can hold their own with the best in the country.

Her play Seagulls and Sad, Sad Stories has been praised for its dark wit and emotional depth, rooted in themes that feel unmistakably North Eastern. 

The Stage editor Alistair Smith has already highlighted the importance of this year’s nominations stretching across all four nations of the UK. But for audiences here, seeing a local writer spotlighted alongside international names such as Nathan Englander (What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank) shows that the talent nurtured in our region is not just thriving — it’s helping shape the future of British theatre.

The awards, hosted by comedy icon Julian Clary in London this September, are often a springboard for long-term careers. Previous winners include Jodie Comer and Rose Ayling-Ellis, proof that the Debut Awards are a launchpad for stars who go on to define the industry.

Host Julian Clary
Photo: Andy Hollingworth

Whatever happens on the night, Sarah Bond’s shortlisting is a triumph for North East theatre. For Laurels, Whitley Bay, and the wider region, it’s a moment to celebrate a homegrown voice stepping confidently into the national spotlight — and another sign that the North East is fast becoming one of the UK’s most exciting places for new theatre.

Full List of 2025 Nominees

Best Performer in a Play (sponsored by Encore):

• Hilson Agbangbe for Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic

• Paula Clarke for The Tragedy of Richard III at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast

• Joseph Edwards for The Red Shoes at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

• Lucy Karczewski for Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

• Eva Morgan for The Glass Menagerie at the Yard Theatre, London

• Christopher Neenan for Blood Wedding at Omnibus Theatre, London

• Daisy Sequerra for Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre, London

• Jasper Talbot for Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre

Best Performer in a Musical (sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment):

• Megan Ellis for Muriel’s Wedding the Musical at Curve, Leicester

• Dora Gee for The Mad Ones at the Other Palace, London

• Eve Shanu-Wilson for The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, London

• Leesa Tulley for Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre, London

Best Writer (sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):

• Sarah Bond for Seagulls and Sad, Sad Stories at Laurels, Whitley Bay

• Nathan Englander for What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank at Marylebone Theatre, London

• Danny James King for Miss Myrtle’s Garden at Bush Theatre, London

• Nancy Netherwood for Radiant Boy: A Haunting at Southwark Playhouse, London

• Ava Pickett for 1536 at the Almeida Theatre, London

• Milly Sweeney for Water Colour at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Byre Theatre, St Andrews

• Saana Sze for Belly of the Beast at Finborough Theatre, London

Best Director (sponsored by Arts Council England):

• Aditya Chopra for Come Fall In Love at Opera House, Manchester

• Nathan Crossan-Smith for The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure at Liverpool Everyman

• Adam Karim for Guards at the Taj at Orange Tree Theatre, London

• Emily Susanne Lloyd for The Mad Ones at the Other Palace, London

• Richard Mylan for Mumfighter at Swansea Grand Theatre

Best Designer (sponsored by Preevue):

• Juliette Demoulin (set), various at Finborough Theatre, London

• Adam Jefferys (lighting) for Communion at Bush Theatre, London

• Hannah Schmidt (set and costume) for The Passenger/Personal Values at Finborough Theatre/Hampstead Theatre, London

• Chloe Wyn (set and costume) for The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure at Liverpool Everyman

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide):

• Martin Batchelar, James Cooper, Bryn Christopher for Lovestuck at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London

• Yve Blake for Fangirls at Lyric Hammersmith, London

• Nicola Dempsey and Rosie Dempsey for One Man Musical by Flo & Joan at Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh

Best West End Debut Performer (sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation):

• Heather Agyepong for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre

• Samuel Brewer for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre

• Georgie Buckland for The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre

• Tosin Cole for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre

• Emma Flynn for Clueless the Musical at Trafalgar Theatre

• Diego Andres Rodriguez for Evita at London Palladium

• Kat Ronney for Titanique at Criterion Theatre

• Rachel Zegler for Evita at London Palladium

Best Creative West End Debut (sponsored by Learn My Lines Productions):

• Eline Arbo (adapter/director) for The Years at Harold Pinter Theatre

• Tye Blue (writer/director), Marla Mindelle (writer) and Constantine Rousouli (writer) for Titanique at Criterion Theatre

• Darren Clark (music and lyrics) and Jethro Compton (book and lyrics) for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre

• Justin Craig (musical director and orchestrator) for Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre

• Benedict Lombe (playwright) for Shifters at the Duke of York's Theatre

• Mark Rosenblatt (playwright) for Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre

• Amit Sharma (director) for Retrograde at Apollo Theatre