Tag: Society of London Theatre

The 2013 Olivier Awards

The Olivier Awards 2013

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

Kids Week

Kids Week 2012

Celebrating its 15th year, Kids Week is back and planning an action-packed month of theatrical fun from 1-31 August 2012 for children aged 16 and under. Kids Week is administered by The Society of London Theatre, which is a trade association that represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the major commercial and grant-aided theatres in London.

During Kids Week, the magic of London theatre can be truly experienced and engaged with, be it the show-stopping tap shoes of Singin’ In The Rain, the wonderful mix of ballet shoes and boxing gloves of Billy Elliot or the animal print leotards of the inspiring The Lion King.

A fantastic selection of shows can be seen for free at certain performances when children are accompanied by a full price paying adult, including many of the new additions to the West End such as Matilda the Musical, Chariots of Fire and Ghost the Musical. Two additional children can also attend at half price, able to take part in the fantastic ethos of Kids Week in all its musical theatre dancewear finery.

There is a fantastic range of free activities and events for children to take part in also, an incredible selection including plays, musicals, comedy and entertainment with packages also available, aside from the fabulous ticket offers available to top London shows. These activities are free to participate in when tickets are purchased as part of a Show & Activity package. Inspirational standalone workshops are on offer too, encouraging children of all ages to don their dance trainers and grab the nearest microphone, connecting with their inner star. Children are given the chance to explore the exciting world of theatre and discover what goes on behind those illusionistic scenes.