Olivier Awards 2023: Nominations announcement

Nominations announced for Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard

–          “My Neighbour Totoro” leads the way with 9 nominations making it the most nominated play

–          “Standing At The Sky’s Edge” is most nominated musical with 8 nominations

–          Six National Theatre productions nominated, totalling 16 nominations

–          Nominees for acting in a play include Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer, Tom Hollander, David Tennant, Rafe Spall, Janet McTeer, Ajana Vasan, Nicola Walker, Giles Terera and Caroline Quentin

–          Beverley Knight, Clive Rowe, Marisha Wallace and Andrew Rannells are all nominated for acting in a musical

–          Mastercard Best New Musical nominees are “Sylvia”, “Standing At The Sky’s Edge”, “Tammy Faye” and “The Band’s Visit”

–          “For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy”, “Patriots”, “Prima Facie” and “To Kill A Mockingbird” are the nominees for Delta Air Lines Best New Play

Watch the Olivier Awards nominations announcement video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGp7ak58Q7c

officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards

Nominations have been announced for the Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard, British theatre’s most prestigious honours, which will take place on Sunday 2 April at the Royal Albert Hall.

This year’s most nominated production is “My Neighbour Totoro”, the new stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s beloved 1988 animated film. Brought to the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company and legendary Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, the production received a total of nine nominations, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, Best Director, Best Theatre Choreographer, Best Original Score and a Best Actress nod for Mei Mac.

“Standing At The Sky’s Edge” at the National Theatre received eight nominations, the most for a musical. The production, which is set in Sheffield and premiered in the city in 2019, has earned Richard Hawley his first Olivier Award nomination for Best Original Score or New Orchestrations. Other nominations include Best New Musical, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

Garnering seven nominations – including Best Musical Revival – was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” Newly transferred to the West End following sell-out runs on Broadway and at the Young Vic, the production has also gained acting nominations for Arthur Darvill, Anoushka Lucas, Liza Sadovy and Marisha Wallace.

With six nominations apiece are “A Streetcar Named Desire”, with nods for actors Paul Mescal, Anjana Vasan and Patsy Ferran; “The Band’s Visit”, the musical adapted from the eponymous Israeli film; and “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Bartlett Sher’s staging of Harper Lee’s classic novel which has earnt Rafe Spall, Pamela Nomvete and David Moorst acting nominations.

Jodie Comer is nominated for Best Actress for her West End debut in “Prima Facie”, which received five nominations overall, including Best New Play and Best Director. Among the Best Actor nominees are David Tennant, for a new production of C.P. Taylor’s 1989 play “Good”- which is up for four awards including Best Revival – and Tom Hollander for “Patriots”, a new play by Peter Morgan set during the fall of the Soviet Union, which is nominated in three categories.

In the musical acting categories, Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells are both in contention for their roles in new musical “Tammy Faye”, which boasts a score by Elton John and the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and tells the story of legendary televangelist Tammy Faye Messner. Beverley Knight is nominated for her role in The Old Vic’s new suffragette musical “Sylvia”, and Clive Rowe for his performance in “Sister Act”.

Photograph by David Levene.

The National Theatre has had a strong year, boasting a total of 16 nominations across six of its productions; “Standing At The Sky’s Edge”, “Blues For An Alabama Sky”, “The Crucible”, “Phaedra”, “The Corn Is Green” and “Jack Absolute Flies Again”.

Some nominees are no stranger to the Olivier Awards. Actress Janet McTeer returns for her 6th nomination, having first been nominated in 1986 as Most Promising Newcomer in a Play. Costume designer Hugh Durrant, sound designers Max & Ben Ringham, and choreographer Crystal Pite all receive their 5th nominations this year, and actor Clive Rowe receives his 4th nomination.

This is also a big year for first-time actor nominations, with 27 people receiving their first nod – including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Caroline Quentin, Sharon Small and Anjana Vasan. Notable creative first-time nominees include fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier for his self-titled “Fashion Freak Show” at the Roundhouse.

“For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy” saw 6 actors gain nominations in a single category – the original cast, Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh and Kaine Lawrence, are all nominated for their West-End debut.

Commenting on the nominations, Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, co-CEOs of the Society of London Theatre and Executive Producers of the Olivier Awards, said:

‘We would like to congratulate all the nominees for the Olivier Awards with Mastercard 2023. It is incredible to see such a diverse range of people honoured for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

‘We have no doubt this year’s event will be the ultimate celebration of theatre and are anticipating showstopping performances and an electric atmosphere in the Royal Albert Hall come Sunday 2 April.’

Photograph by David Levene

The Olivier Awards will be hosted by Hannah Waddingham and broadcast via ITV and Magic Radio. Further details of the ceremony will be announced soon.

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Full list of nominations for Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard:

Noël Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play

Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre & Ambassadors Theatre

One Woman Show at Ambassadors Theatre

Best Family Show

Blippi The Musical at Apollo Theatre

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show at Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre

Midsummer Mechanicals at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe

The Smartest Giant In Town at St Martin’s Theatre

Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer

Matt Cole for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Lynne Page for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Kate Prince for Sylvia at The Old Vic

Basil Twist for Puppetry Direction for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Best Costume Design

Frankie Bradshaw for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Hugh Durrant for Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

Jean Paul Gaultier for Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show at Roundhouse

Kimie Nakano for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Cunard Best Revival

The Crucible at National Theatre – Olivier

Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Jerusalem at Apollo Theatre

A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Magic Radio Best Musical Revival

My Fair Lady at London Coliseum

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Sister Act at Eventim Apollo

South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells

d&b audiotechnik Award for Best Sound Design

Bobby Aitken for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Tony Gayle for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Drew Levy for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Ben & Max Ringham for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Best Original Score or New Orchestrations

David Yazbek, Jamshied Sharifi & Andrea Grody – Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek, Orchestrations by Jamshied Sharifi & Additional Arrangements by Andrea Grody – The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Joe Hisaishi & Will Stuart – Music by Joe Hisaishi & Orchestrations and Arrangements by Will Stuart – My Neighbour Totoro for Barbican Theatre

Daniel Kluger & Nathan Koci – Orchestrations and Arrangements by Daniel Kluger & Additional Vocal Arrangements by Nathan Koci  – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!  Young Vic

Richard Hawley & Tom Deering – Music and Lyrics by Richard Hawley & Orchestrations by Tom Deering – Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh & Kaine Lawrence for For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Will Keen for Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Elliot Levey for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

David Moorst for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Sule Rimi for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace

Pamela Nomvete for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Caroline Quentin for Jack Absolute Flies Again at National Theatre – Olivier

Sharon Small for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Anjana Vasan for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design

Miriam Buether for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Tom Pye for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Ben Stones for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Mark Walters for Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design

Natasha Chivers for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Lee Curran for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Jessica Hung Han Yun for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Tim Lutkin for The Crucible at National Theatre – Olivier

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Beverley Knight for Sylvia The Old Vic

Maimuna Memon for Standing At The Sky’s Edge National Theatre – Olivier

Liza Sadovy for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Marisha Wallace for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Sharif Afifi for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Peter Polycarpou for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Clive Rowe for Sister Act at Eventim Apollo

Zubin Varla for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

TAIT Award for Best New Opera Production

Alcina by Royal Opera at Royal Opera House

Least Like The Other by Irish National Opera and Royal Opera at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre

Peter Grimes by Royal Opera at Royal Opera House

Sibyl at Barbican Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Opera

Sinéad Campbell-Wallace for her performance in Tosca by English National Opera at London Coliseum

William Kentridge for his conception and direction of Sibyl at Barbican Theatre

Antony McDonald for his design of Alcina at Royal Opera House

Best Actor in a Musical

Alon Moni Aboutboul for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Arthur Darvill for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Julian Ovenden for South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells

Andrew Rannells for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

Katie Brayben for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

Anoushka Lucas for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Miri Mesika for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Faith Omole for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Best New Dance Production

Light Of Passage by Crystal Pite at Royal Opera House

Pasionaria by La Veronal at Sadler’s Wells

Traplord by Ivan Michael Blackstock at 180 Studios (The Strand)

Triptych (The Missing Door, The Lost Room, And The Hidden Floor) by Peeping Tom at Barbican Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Manuel Liñán for his choreography of ¡VIVA! at Sadler’s Wells

Dickson Mbi for his choreography of Enowate at Sadler’s Wells

Raquel Meseguer Zafe for her dramaturgy of Ruination by Lost Dog at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre

Catrina Nisbett for her performance in Family Honour by Spoken Movement at Sadler’s Wells

Unusual Rigging Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre

Age Is A Feeling at Soho Theatre

Blackout Songs at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs

The P Word at Bush Theatre

Paradise Now! at Bush Theatre

Two Palestinians Go Dogging at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director

Rebecca Frecknall for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Robert Hastie for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Justin Martin for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Phelim McDermott for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Bartlett Sher for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Best Actress

Jodie Comer for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Patsy Ferran for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Mei Mac for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Janet McTeer for Phaedra at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Nicola Walker for The Corn Is Green at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Best Actor

Tom Hollander for Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Rafe Spall for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

David Tennant for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Giles Terera for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Delta Air Lines Best New Play

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Mastercard Best New Musical

The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Sylvia at The Old Vic

Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre