Strictly champion Ore Oduba to host first Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA)

Posted on 23 October 2019

It has just been announced that Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba is set to host the inaugural Black British Theatre Awards (BBTA), which will be held at The Old Finsbury Town Hall in Islington, London this Sunday, 27 October 2019. The first-ever BBTA ceremony was announced last month alongside the shortlist of nominees, among which include Layton Williams (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Arinzé Kene (Misty), Sharon D Clarke (Death of a Salesman), and many more!

Check out all the details about the 2019 BBTAs below and be sure to read the full list of nominees here.

Ore Oduba to host 2019 BBTAs in a star-studded ceremony on 27 October 2019

Famed actor, broadcaster, and presenter Ore Oduba has been confirmed to host the first-ever Black British Theatre Awards in London. The awards ceremony will also feature Clint DyerDanny Sapani, and Martina Laird opposite the Strictly Come Dancing winner.

Ore Oduba entered the spotlight and became a household name when he won the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing and has recently delved into theatrical entertainment, having made his debut in Grease The Musical this summer. Oduba is now currently starring in the nationwide tour of Curtains The Musical opposite comedian Jason Manford.

When asked to comment on the news, Ore Oduba said, “I’m delighted to be hosting the first of this important and historic awards ceremony. I know it will become an important date in the calendar for all Black British people in the arts in the future.

About the Black British Theatre Awards in London

The BBTAs mark the first-ever awards ceremony of the sort that will finally pay tribute to talented Black-British talents in the UK's performing arts. Categories for the new awards ceremony include the standard Best Actor/Best Actress in a Musical/Play along with such awards as Best Teacher of Performing Arts, Best Dance Production, and awards that celebrate Black-British creatives.

Co-founders of the Black British Theatre Awards Omar F Okai and Solange Urdang said, "We are more than delighted that Ore has agreed to be our host for the inaugural Black British Theatre Awards. It's beyond exciting to be supported by such a personality and are honoured with the positive response from the industry as a whole."

The 2019 inaugural BBTAs saw hundreds of nominations and less than half made the final cut.

Shows nominated for a Black British Theatre Award now playing in the West End

Keep your eyes peeled for the winners of the Black British Theatre Awards who will be announced this Sunday! Also be sure to catch these BBTA Award-nominated shows currently on in the West End:

Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

Ephram is a jack of all trades and enjoys attending theatre, classical music concerts and the opera.