For a young actor cutting their teeth on the British stage, the Ian Charleson Awards are fiercely coveted. It’s a chance to follow in the footsteps of previous recipients such as Rebecca Hall, Rory Kinnear, David Oyelowo, Cush Jumbo, Tom Hollander, Benedict Cumberbatch, Helen McCrory and Eddie Redmayne.

The awards celebrate the best stage performances by actors under 30 in a classical role and were established by The Sunday Times and the National Theatre in recognition of Ian Charleson, who died of Aids aged 40 in 1990, weeks after giving an astonishing final turn as Hamlet. He inspired the Sunday Times critic John Peter to create the awards.