The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2016 with MasterCard, the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar, were announced today (Monday 29 February) by past winners Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton at Rosewood London, the awards' official hotel partner.
The awards, which this year celebrate their 40th anniversary, will take place on Sunday 3 April at the Royal Opera House. Public tickets for the event are available from Tuesday 1 March for MasterCard cardholders at www.Priceless.com/London
The Best Actor and Best Actress categories reflect the incredible wealth of talent that has graced the West End stage in the past year. In the Best Actor category there are nominations for Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Cranham, Benedict Cumberbatch, Adrian Lester and Mark Rylance. The nominees for Best Actress are Gemma Arterton, Denise Gough, Nicole Kidman, Janet McTeer and Lia Williams.
Dame Judi Dench earns her 15th Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role having previously won six awards and one special award, the most of any performer. Also nominated in that category are Michele Dotrice, Melody Grove and Catherine Steadman.
Chichester Festival Theatre's production of Gypsy and Kinky Boots dominate in the musical categories with eight and seven nominations respectively. Imelda Staunton receives her 11th nomination for her performance as Mama Rose with her co-stars Dan Burton and Peter Davison being nominated as Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Lara Pulver nominated as Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
The nominees for MasterCard Best New Musical demonstrate the diversity shown on the London stage this year with nominees Bend It Like Beckham, In The Heights, Kinky Boots and Mrs Henderson Presents.
Shakespeare's Globe has reason to be celebrating with the transfers of their productions of Farinelli And The King and Nell Gwynn receiving 10 nominations between them. The transfer of Farinelli And The King is nominated for Virgin Atlantic Best New Play while Nell Gwynn, which transferred to the Apollo, is nominated for Best New Comedy.
English National Opera has received four nominations in the opera categories while the Royal Opera House receives three. English National Opera's production of The Force Of Destiny is nominated for Best New Opera Production as well as receiving recognition in the Outstanding Achievement in Opera category for Tamara Wilson and the English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra. In the dance categories there are nominations for the Barbican, London Coliseum, Royal Opera House and Sadler's Wells.
Voting for the Magic Radio Audience Award, the only category voted for entirely by members of the public, will close at 12:00 noon on Friday 11 March. This year there are 16 eligible long-running shows and votes can be cast via www.olivierawards.com
The star-studded Olivier Awards 2016 with MasterCard ceremony will be broadcast in the UK on ITV and Mellow Magic and on the Olivier Awards' new YouTube channel (youtube.com/OlivierAwards) worldwide outside the UK.
FULL NOMINATIONS LIST FOR THE OLIVIER AWARDS 2016 WITH MASTERCARD
Best Revival
Best New Comedy
Best Costume Design
Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
White Light Award for Best Lighting Design
Best Sound Design
Best New Opera Production
Outstanding Achievement in Opera
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre
Virgin Atlantic Best New Play
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Entertainment and Family
Best New Dance Production
Outstanding Achievement in Dance
Autograph Sound Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music
Best Theatre Choreographer
Best Director
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Best Musical Revival
Best Actor in a Musical
Best Actress in a Musical
MasterCard Best New Musical
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