The Olivier Awards, organised by the Society of London Theatre, were presented at the Royal Opera House on Sunday in the celebration of talent that graces our theatrical stages.
For dance there was a wealth of wondrous watching in the performances which won nominations in different categories –
Best New Dance Production:
The Royal Ballet’s Aeternum was nominated, featuring Principal Marianela Nunez, who was also nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Also in this category was Scottish Ballet’s A Streetcar Named Desire, which picked up the National Dance Award for Best Classical Choreography earlier this year, and NDT2’s Cacti.
Outstanding Achievement in Dance:
ILL-Abilities Company, who will be performing as part of Breakin’ Convention’s 10th anniversary, Lez Brotherston for the set and costumes for New Adventures’ Sleeping Beauty, and Marianela Nunez for varied and fantastic performances in Aeternum, Diana & Actaeon and Viscera of The Royal Ballet were all nominated in this category. Earlier this year Nunez was also awarded the National Dance Award for Best Female Dancer.
Best Theatre Choreographer:
Bill Deamer for Top Hat, first-time Olivier Award nominee Scott Ambler for Chariots of Fire in his reinvention of the Olympic-inspired running scenes, double Olivier Award-winning Stephen Mear for Kiss Me, Kate, and Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, as part of Frantic Assembly, were all nominated for this category.
The nominees for Best Musical Revival were A Chorus Line, Cabaret, Kiss Me, Kate and Sweeney Todd, and the nominees for the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award nominees were Billy Elliot, Matilda, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.
Following the nominations, the glittering event and red carpet saw the many winners acknowledged in their contribution to great theatre, with a few included below.
Best Actress: Helen Mirren for The Audience
Best Actor: Luke Treadaway for The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
BBC Radio 2 Audience Award: Billy Elliot
Best Musical Revival: Sweeney Todd
Best Actress in a Musical: Imelda Staunton for Sweeney Todd
Best Actor in a Musical: Michael Ball for Sweeney Todd
Best New Musical: Top Hat
Autograph Sound Award for Best Theatre Choreographer: Bill Deamer for Top Hat
Best New Dance Production: Aeternum by The Royal Ballet, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon
Outstanding Achievement in Dance: Marianela Nunez for Aeternum, Diana & Actaeon and Viscera by The Royal Ballet
Best Entertainment and Family: Goodnight Mister Tom
Special Awards: Michael Frayn and Gillian Lynne