At the end of another exciting cultural year for Liverpool, Laura Davis announces the winners of the annual LDP Arts Awards

WHAT a difference a year makes – we’ve waved goodbye to the Everyman, for now at least, seen the Museum of Liverpool and Open Eye launched at the Pier Head, learned that Sound City will be taking over the Epstein Theatre and welcomed the news of Heritage Lottery funding for the Royal Court.

And in between, the city’s venues have continued to put on excellent shows, exhibitions and concerts.

So pity our poor judging panel, faced with having to decide the winners of the LDP Arts Awards. These are the results...

Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION

Despite its leading lady pulling out with just days to go, director Gemma Bodinetz’s production of Macbeth was a great success and a fitting final production for the old look Everyman. David Morrissey returned to the theatre of his youth in the title role, with Cheshire-born Julia Ford stepping in at the last minute as his Lady.

A feast for the eyes as well as for the ears, the show gave us a pair of Macbeths that were deeply vulnerable as well as grotesquely ambitious.

BEST COMEDY

IT Crowd and Father Ted writer Graham Linehan’s first venture into writing for the stage transformed the 1955 Ealing Studios film The Ladykillers into a play with slapstick, witty one-liners, fast-paced dialogue and a hugely endearing line-up of bungling baddies. Peter Capaldi, Ben Miller, James Fleet and Marcia Warren led a fine cast that was only nearly upstaged by the fantastic stage set.

BEST MUSICAL

It may be syrupy sweet and pinker than a lorryload of candy floss, but there’s something addictive about the new stage version of Legally Blonde. Faye Brookes played the sorority trying to keep up in law school to get the attention of her vain ex-boyfriend, while ex-Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon showed off her rich voice and flawless comic timing as Elle’s confidante and beautician Paulette.