Esteemed dancer, choreographer and now Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Dance Gillian Lynne is set to receive Special Awards at this year’s Society of London Theatre Olivier Awards in recognition of her immense contribution to theatre and the arts.
Gillian Lynne began her career as a ballet dancer before earning an international reputation for her innovative choreography and stage work throughout the performing arts industry, including choreographing Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. Cats the musical is set for revival later in 2013, and it looks as though Gillian Lynne’s achievements are not over yet, with many more years of creativity ahead. Beginning as a Royal Ballet dancer under Dame Ninette de Valois, Gillian Lynne has been a constant stream of creation throughout the arts.
As a result the Society of London Theatre’s Olivier Awards has recognised the prolific work of Gillian Lynne, continuing to have a vital and lasting influence on the theatre and dance stages of the performing arts industry. It is therefore only fitting that this ambassador of British Theatre be recognised with the Special Award at this year’s ceremony.
This year’s Olivier Awards, nominations for which were announced on 26 March 2013, take place at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 28 April, hosted by Hugh Bonneville and Sheridan Smith. The ceremony will be live on BBC Radio 2 from 6.30pm with a highlights package broadcast on ITV later in the evening. Some of the nominations are listed below.
Best Actor
- Rupert Everett – The Judas Kiss
- James McAvoy – Macbeth
- Mark Rylance – Twelfth Night
- Rafe Spall – Constellations
- Luke Treadaway – The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
Best Actress
- Helen Mirren – The Audience
- Hattie Morahan – A Doll’s House
- Billie Piper – The Effect
- Kristin Scott Thomas – Old Times
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Paul Chahidi – Twelfth Night
- Richard McCabe – The Audience
- Adrian Scarborough – Hedda Gabler
- Kyle Soller – Long Day’s Journey Into Night
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Janie Dee – NSFW
- Anastasia Hille – The Effect
- Cush Jumbo – Julius Caesar (Donmar Warehouse)
- Helen McCrory – The Last Of The Haussmans
- Nicola Walker – The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
MasterCard Best New Play
- Constellations
- The Audience
- The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
- This House
Best Actor in a Musical
- Michael Ball – Sweeney Todd
- Alex Bourne – Kiss Me, Kate
- Tom Chambers – Top Hat
- Will Young – Cabaret
Best Actress in a Musical
- Heather Headley – The Bodyguard
- Imelda Staunton – Sweeney Todd
- Summer Strallen – Top Hat
- Hannah Waddingham – Kiss Me, Kate
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
- Adam Garcia – Kiss Me, Kate
- Debbie Kurup – The Bodyguard
- Siân Phillips – Cabaret
- Leigh Zimmerman – A Chorus Line
Best New Musical
- Loserville
- Soul Sister
- The Bodyguard
- Top Hat
Best Revival
- Long Day’s Journey Into Night
- Macbeth
- Old Times
- Twelfth Night
Best Musical Revival
- A Chorus Line
- Cabaret
- Kiss Me, Kate
- Sweeney Todd
Best Entertainment and Family
- Cinderella (St James theatre)
- Goodnight Mister Tom
- Hansel And Gretel
- Room On The Broom
Best New Dance Production
- Aeternum by the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
- Cacti by Nederlands Dans Theatre 2 at Sadler’s Wells, choreographed by Alexander Ekman
- A Streetcar Named Desire by Scottish Ballet at Sadler’s Wells
Outstanding Achievement in Dance
- Lez Brotherston for the set and costumes for Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, New Adventures at Sadler’s Wells
- ILL-Abilities company in Breakin’ Convention at Sadler’s Wells
- Marianela Nunez for Aeternum, Diana & Actaeon and Viscera, The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Best Theatre Choreographer
- Scott Ambler – Chariots Of Fire
- Bill Deamer – Top Hat
- Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett – The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
- Stephen Mear – Kiss Me, Kate
BBC Radio 2 Audience Award
- Billy Elliot The Musical
- Matilda The Musical
- The Phantom Of The Opera
- Wicked
Special Award
- Gillian Lynne
- Michael Frayn