Olivier Award nominations showcase best of British theatre

Thursday 07 March 2019
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The Olivier Award nominations for 2019 are in, once again showcasing the tremendous talent that exists in Britain’s thriving theatre scene. London, and the West End in particular, is renowned for its theatres, and you’ll find more than 50 dotted across the capital, showcasing a wide and varied set of performances.

Two musicals, Company and Come From Away, lead the way with 9 nominations each, with The Inheritance up for 8 awards, the most of any play. Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre runs until mid-September and Company runs at the Gielgud Theatre until the end of March 2019, while the Inheritance packed out The Young Vic and the Noel Coward Theatre before its West End run ended in January.

They were not the only shows to feature heavily in the nominations for 2019, as the revival of The King and I is up for 6 awards, including for both its leads Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe. Famous faces from the world of film are also up for awards, including Sir Ian McKellen for his portrayal in King Lear at Duke of York’s Theatre, Gillian Anderson for her stunning performance in All About Eve, and David Suchet in the revival of Arthur Miller’s The Price at the Wyndham Theatre.

Ahead of the awards on 7 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by comedian Jason Manford, here are some of the star-studded shows and performances that could get their hands on the prestigious theatrical accolade.

Best Actor

In addition to Ian McKellen and David Suchet, Kyle Soller from The Inheritance and Arinzé Kene for Misty are also nominated for Best Actor, as are Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale from The Lehman Trilogy at the National Theatre.

  • Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale: The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre
  • Arinzé Kene: Misty at Trafalgar Studios 1
  • Ian McKellen: King Lear at Duke of York’s Theatre
  • Kyle Soller: The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre
  • David Suchet: The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre

Best Actress

Performances from Antony and Cleopatra, Summer and Smoke and The Height Of The Storm are among those joining Gillian Anderson as nominations for Best Actress.

  • Gillian Anderson: All About Eve at Noel Coward Theatre
  • Eileen Atkins: The Height Of The Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre
  • Patsy Ferran: Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre
  • Sophie Okonedo: Antony And Cleopatra at National Theatre
  • Katherine Parkinson: Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre

Adrian Lukis’ performance alongside Suchet in The Price has earnt him a nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, while Monico Dolan has also been recognised for her role in supporting Anderson in All About Eve. Vanessa Redgrave’s performance alongside Soller in The Inheritance also saw her nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Best Actor and Actress in a Musical

Both Adrienne Warren and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith were nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical award respectively for their roles in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre, a show detailing the life of the famous singer songwriter. The King and I, which is now touring the UK having wrapped up in the West End, also has a pair of nominations for leads Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara.

Best Actor in a Musical

  • Marc Antolin: Little Shop Of Horrors at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
  • Kobna Holdbrook-Smith: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre
  • Zubin Varla: Fun Home at Young Vic
  • Ken Watanabe: The King And I at The London Palladium

Best Actress in a Musical

  • Sharon D. Clarke: Caroline, Or Change at Playhouse Theatre
  • Rosalie Craig: Company at Gielgud Theatre
  • Kelli O’Hara: The King And I at The London Palladium
  • Adrienne Warren: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre

Three performances from Company at the Gielgud Theatre drew nominations for Best Actor or Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, including Jonathan Bailey, Richard Fleeshman and Patti LuPone. Both Clive Carter and Robert Hands for Come From Away were also among those nominated in this category.

Although some of the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2019 have now completed their showings in Theatreland, don’t miss these fantastic theatre shows to book in 2019.

For more information contact:

Patrycja Woda

patrycja.woda@visitbritain.org

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