With the 2018 Olivier Awards due to take place on Sunday 8 April at the majestic Royal Albert Hall in London, let’s take a whistle stop tour of the hit shows to have played the theaters of the West End this year. Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the best of London theater and this year is no exception! I was fortunate enough to see three of the shows nominated this year (Angels in America, Follies and An American in Paris) and they were all spectacular.
It is no surprize that the show leading the way at the 2018 awards is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit, Hamilton. The show dominates the musical categories with three out of the four nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and two out of four for Best Actor in a Musical, along with nominations for Best Director and Best New Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda has also been nominated for the award for Outstanding Achievement in Music. Following rave reviews on Broadway, the musical opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre in December 2017. Described by critics as “a game-changer” (Radio Times) and “the best and cleverest thing on the London stage” (Time Out), its success looks set to continue on this side of the pond. Hamilton has broken the record for the most nominations by a single production with a whopping total of 13.
Following closely behind, however, is the National Theatre’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Featuring a huge cast of 37 performers, a 21-piece orchestra and a stunning set, the show was an unforgettable piece of theater that well deserves its 10 nominations. One of its leading ladies, Imelda Staunton, has been nominated for two Olivier Awards this year–Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actress in a Play (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf)–bringing her nomination tally to a potentially lucky 13.
Rounding up our whistle stop tour of the musicals to have impressed London’s theater audiences this last year, it wouldn’t be fair not to mention two new musicals that have received a host of nominations. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie transferred into the West End following a hit run at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. It is based on the 2011 BBC documentary, Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, and is a dazzling message of how to beat the bullies and overcome prejudice. Described as “a breath of fresh air” (The Times), this is a new musical that has taken the West End by storm. And then there is Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, which is currently playing at London’s Garrick Theatre. Based on Mel Brooks’ 1974 film of the same name, this musical comedy only opened in London in October 2017 but has been described as “the funniest West End musical since The Producers” (WhatsOnStage). It is a reworking of the 2007 Broadway show which ran for just over a year but received decidedly mixed reviews. Watch the trailer for the new show below:
Over in the plays, several productions are firmly leading the way in the nominations. Directed by Sam Mendes, Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman has received 8 nominations, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best New Play. It was the fastest selling production in the history of the Royal Court Theatre before it moved to the Gielgud Theatre in June 2017. Having already won the Evening Standard Theatre and WhatOnStage Awards for Best Play and Best Director, The Ferryman is in a good position to add a couple more awards to its growing collection. The production is due to transfer to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway in October 2018.
A play that has already transferred to Broadway and is wowing critics and audiences alike is the National Theatre’s revival of Angels in America. This is an epic, two-part production that sold out in London in a matter of days. Featuring a stellar cast, including Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Russell Tovey, and Denise Gough, the production has been nominated for 6 Olivier Awards, including Best Director, Best Actor (Andrew Garfield), and Best Revival.
The other big-hitters in the plays include the Harold Pinter Theatre’s production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and the Almeida Theatre’s revival of the Shakespeare tragedy Hamlet, both of which have received 3 nominations a piece and accompany Angels in America in the nominations for Best Revival. Robert Icke’s modern-day production of Hamlet starred Andrew Scott in the title role and his performance has been acclaimed as a “career defining performance” (The Evening Standard). It was recorded as-live and broadcast in the UK on BBC Two and you can watch it for a limited period here [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09yj7dz]. It is not to be missed!
So that concludes our quick glimpse at the buzz surrounding this year’s Olivier Awards. A full list of all the nominations can be found below. Whatever the outcome, it will be an exciting evening celebrating the best of British theater.
You can watch the Olivier Awards highlights show in the UK on ITV straight after the ceremony at 10.20pm, or from outside the UK on the Olivier Awards Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/OlivierAwards/] at the same time.
Full List of Nominations:
Best actor in a supporting role in a musical
Michael Jibson for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Ross Noble for Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre
Jason Pennycooke for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Cleve September for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Best actress in a supporting role in a musical
Sheila Atim for Girl From The North Country at the Old Vic
Tracie Bennett for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Rachel John for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Lesley Joseph for Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre
Outstanding achievement in music
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Music and orchestrations by Dan Gillespie Sells at Apollo Theatre
Follies – The Orchestra, under the music supervision of Nicholas Skilbeck and music director Nigel Lilley at the National Theatre, Olivier
Girl From The North Country – Music and lyrics by Bob Dylan, original orchestrations and arrangements by Simon Hale at the Old Vic
Hamilton – Composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda at Victoria Palace Theatre
Best new dance production
Flight Pattern by Crystal Pite at Royal Opera House
Goat by Ben Duke for Rambert Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells
Grand Finale by Hofesh Shechter at Sadler’s Wells
Tree Of Codes by Wayne McGregor and the Paris Opera Ballet at Sadler’s Wells
Outstanding achievement in dance
Rocio Molina for pushing the boundary of flamenco in Fallen From Heaven (Caída Del Cielo) at Barbican Theatre
Francesca Velicu for her performance in English National Ballet’s production of Pina Bausch’s Le Sacre Du Printemps at Sadler’s Wells
Zenaida Yanowsky for her performance in Liam Scarlett’s Symphonic Dances at Royal Opera House
Best entertainment and family
David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny at Garrick Theatre
Derren Brown: Underground at Playhouse Theatre
Dick Whittington at London Palladium
Five Guys Named Moe at Marble Arch Theatre
Best theatre choreographer
Andy Blankenbuehler for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Bill Deamer for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Kate Prince for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre
Randy Skinner for 42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Christopher Wheeldon for An American In Paris at Dominion Theatre
Best musical revival
42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Best actor in a musical
Ciaran Hinds for Girl From The North Country at the Old Vic
John McCrea for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre
Giles Terera for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Jamael Westman for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Best actress in a musical
Janie Dee for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Shirley Henderson for Girl From The North Country at the Old Vic
Imelda Staunton for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Josie Walker for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre
Best revival
Angels In America at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Hamlet at Almeida Theatre
Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre
Witness For The Prosecution at London County Hall
Best new comedy
Dry Powder at Hampstead Theatre
Labour Of Love at Noel Coward Theatre
Mischief Movie Night at Arts Theatre
The Miser at Garrick Theatre
Outstanding achievement in affiliate theatre
The B*easts at Bush Theatre
Killology at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
The Red Lion at Trafalgar Studios 2
The Revlon Girl at Park Theatre
Best lighting design
Howell Binkley for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Paule Constable for Angels In America at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Paule Constable for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Jan Versweyveld for Network at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Best sound design
Tom Gibbons for Hamlet at Almeida Theatre
Gareth Owen for Bat Out Of Hell The Musical at London Coliseum
Eric Sleichim for Network at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Nevin Steinberg for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Best costume design
Hugh Durrant for Dick Whittington at London Palladium
Roger Kirk for 42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Vicki Mortimer for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Paul Tazewell for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Best set design
Bunny Christie for Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
Bob Crowley and 59 Productions for An American In Paris at Dominion Theatre
Rob Howell for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Vicki Mortimer for Follies at National Theatre, Olivier
Best actor in a supporting role
Bertie Carvel for Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
John Hodgkinson for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
James McArdle for Angels In America at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Peter Polycarpou for Oslo at Harold Pinter Theatre
Best actress in a supporting role
Bríd Brennan for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Denise Gough for Angels In America at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Dearbhla Molloy for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Imogen Poots for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre
Best new opera production
La Boheme at Trafalgar Studios 2
The Exterminating Angel at Royal Opera House
Semiramide at Royal Opera House
Outstanding achievement in opera
Paul Brown for his set and costume designs for Iolanthe at London Coliseum
Joyce DiDonato and Daniela Barcellona for their performances in Semiramide at Royal Opera House
Roderick Williams for his performance in The Royal Opera’s The Return Of Ulysses at the Roundhouse
Best actor
Paddy Considine for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Bryan Cranston for Network at National Theatre Lyttelton
Andrew Garfield for Angels In America at National Theatre Lyttelton
Andrew Scott for Hamlet at Almeida Theatre
Best actress
Laura Donnelly for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Lesley Manville for Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Wyndham’s Theatre
Audra McDonald for Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Wyndham’s Theatre
Imelda Staunton for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre
Best director
Dominic Cooke for Follies at National Theatre Olivier
Marianne Elliott for Angels In America at National Theatre Lyttelton
Rupert Goold for Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
Thomas Kail for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Sam Mendes for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Best new play
The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre
Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
Network at National Theatre, Lyttelton
Oslo at Harold Pinter Theatre
Best new musical
An American In Paris at Dominion Theatre
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre
Girl From The North Country at the Old Vic
Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre
Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre
