“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” dominates UK’s Olivier Awards

PanARMENIAN.Net - This year's Olivier Awards look set to be a very Harry Potter-dominated affair, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the acclaimed spinoff of J.K. Rowling's book series that opened in London's West End in July last year, has come away with a record 11 nominations for the UK's biggest stage awards, making it the most-nominated play in the event's history. Among its nominations are those for best new play, best actor for Jamie Parker, best supporting actress for Noma Dumezweni, best supporting actor for Anthony Boyle, best director for John Tiffany (also nominated for his well-represented production of The Glass Menagerie) and outstanding achievement in music for composer Imogen Heap.

Elsewhere, the musical adaptation of Groundhog Day, which launches on Broadway later this month, picked up eight nominations, including one for lead actor Andy Karl, who will reprise his role in New York. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar received six nominations, including best musical revival; and Dreamgirls landed five. While the latter show premiered on Broadway in 1981, it had never before been staged in London, making it eligible in the Oliviers alongside new musicals.

After a 25-year absence from the stage, Glenda Jackson earned her first nominations since 1984 as King Lear in the play of the same name. Ian McKellen picked up his 10th nomination for best actor for No Man's Land, reprising a role he previously played on Broadway. Other notable names in the acting categories include Glenn Close, Ed Harris, Cherry Jones, Ruth Wilson, Rafe Spall, Tom Hollander, and Glee discovery Amber Riley for her powerhouse turn in Dreamgirls.

"In a year of global change, the nominees for this year's awards demonstrate London theater's ability to challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and entertain us," said Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theater, which produces the Olivier Awards.

The awards ceremony will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, April 9.