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Rachel Holden-Jones shortly after receiving the Brickenden for Best Actress at the 2003 ceremonies. The first-ever Brickenden trophy was presented by Dorinda Greenway, Brickenden's daughter. |
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2002
- The First Year That December webmaster Sean Wilson created an on-line voting system where the public could vote on Doty's nomination list and create two sets of winners: critic's choice and people's choice. The resulting awards (in name only) would be called The Brickendens after local actress, director and playwright Catharine Brickenden. The competition attracted marginal attention until Noel Gallagher published an article in the London Free Press on the Brickendens (or The Bricks as they were soon nicknamed). The resulting publicity helped establish the awards as an annual event. Click
here for a listing of the nominees and winners for 2002
The first official awards ceremony was also organized, hosted by former London actor Paul Soles. Highlights of the evening included an opening address by Brickenden's daughter, Dorinda Greenway, Rachel Holden-Jones' emotional address after being given the evening's first award (for best actress) and Tyler Parr's hysterical acceptance speech by phone after learning he had copped best actor. Click here for a listing of the nominees and winners for 2003
The second official award ceremony proves to be an unqualified smash, doubling the attendance from the previous year. Caitlin Murphy cleans up with awards for best comedy, original script, production and direction - a feat that leaves even her speechless. Don Fleckser receives a special Curtain Raiser award for over 50 years of service in the theatre - and a written tribute from former protege Victor Garber. Media coverage of the event triples and a documentary crew is on hand to record the festivities. Click here for a listing of the nominees and winners for 2004
Ceremony highlights include Mike Van Holst's on-stage proposal to his fiance, Morgan Morris, a move that completely upstages the presenters that follow. Theatre mentor Art Fidler receives the second Curtain Raiser award and receives a moving tribute from former Oakridge students Tom McCamus and Chris Potter. Click here for a listing of the nominees and winners for 2005 |
A
Short History 
In
the summer of 2002 Christopher Doty, resident critic for the Theatre in
London website, had an inspiration. Why not compile a listing of the best
shows of the year to serve as a recap for the year in London, Ontario
theatre? Jeff Culbert, the site's founder, took matters one step further
by turning the idea into a competition where nominees would be posted,
followed by an announcement of the winners on New Year's Day. 
With
three new members on the adjudication panel (critic Patricia Black, UWO
theatre organizer Maggie Wrobel and London Fringe Festival producer Kathy
Navackas), the Brickendens took on a more definite shape. An award was
designed, new categories were added and the critic's and people's choices
were merged into a single award. 
For
the first time, the voting is broken down into a nomination and winning
period in order to give theatre companies a chance to jockey for awards.
The adjudication panel is expanded to five members and a new award for
theatre promotion, Best Ballyhoo, is introduced. An expanded Brickenden
website is also launched.
Although
Retreat from Moscow captures three key awards, no single production dominates
the ceremonies. Perpetual nominees Don Fleckser and Julia Webb finally
take home the hardware for best director and best actress respectively.
Jonathan De Souza wins big with his two original musicals, You Kiss by
the Book & Thomas and the Princess while first-time playwright Stephanie
Demas scores a Cinderella victory by winning for Best Original Script.