Advertisement

Olivier Awards 2018: Hamilton vs Hamilton as stars go head-to-head with record nominations

The London production of Hamilton
The London production of Hamilton

The stars of Hamilton are to compete against one another at tonight's Olivier Awards, after the show was nominated a record-breaking 13 times.

Five of the eight nominees for best actor and best supporting actor in a musical come from Hamilton, the American juggernaut which has dominated the stage awards designed to honour the best of London theatre.

The musical giant, which transferred from Broadway last year, will see three of its stars go head-to-head in the best supporting actor category, with Ross Noble, who stars in Young Frankenstein, their only external competition.

Hamilton
Hamilton

Jamael Westman and Giles Terera, who play lead roles of Hamilton and Burr, are vying for best actor, against Ciaran Hinds from Girl From the North Country and John McCrea from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The latter production is considered the “underdog” of this year’s awards, plucked from the stage in Sheffield for a West End run and starring previously unknown actors.

Elsewhere, the National Theatre is up for 22 awards for productions including Follies, Angels in America and Network, a significant comeback after several low-key years to enjoy its best showing since 1995.

Hamilton grid
Hamilton grid

Hamilton’s 13 nominations make it the most nominated production in Oliviers history replacing Harry Potter And The Cursed Child in 2017 and Hairspray in 2008 which had 11 apiece.

As well as honouring its actors, its stars also appear in the best supporting actress category, lighting, costume design, sound design, choreography and music.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre
Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre

It will compete for best new musical against Young Frankenstein, An American in Paris, Girl From the North Country and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Nica Burns, producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, said the five nominations meant “so much” to the cast and crew behind it, adding their “small, homegrown, unknown show” was the “British underdog” among a host of “very, very fine musicals this year”.

Ross Noble congratulated his three Hamilton rivals on their nominations, saying he was “dead chuffed” to be in their company. “What a lovely thing to be part of,” he said.

The Young Frankenstein - Credit:  Alastair Muir
The Young Frankenstein Credit: Alastair Muir

The award for best actor in a play will go to Bryan Cranston for Network, Andrew Garfield for Angels In America, Andrew Scott for Hamlet or Paddy Considine for The Ferryman.

Imelda Staunton is nominated for the best actress and best actress in a musical categories for Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and Follies respectively.

Imelda Staunton in Follies - Credit:  Alastair Muir
Imelda Staunton in Follies Credit: Alastair Muir

For the best actress prize she will take on Laura Donnelly for The Ferryman, Audra McDonald for Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill and Oscar nominee Lesley Manville for Long Day's Journey Into Night.

The Ferryman has become the most nominated new play of the year with eight nominations, while the Almeida Theatre has seven nods for Hamlet and Ink.  

The Olivier Awards will be held at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April, hosted by Catherine Tate.

The Ferryman - Credit: Johan Persson
The Ferryman Credit: Johan Persson
Nominees for the Olivier Awards 2018 include:

 

Best actor

Paddy Considine for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

Bryan Cranston for Network at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Andrew Garfield for Angels In America at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Andrew Scott for Hamlet at Almeida Theatre

 

Best actress

Laura Donnelly for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

Lesley Manville for Long Day's Journey Into Night at Wyndham's Theatre

Audra McDonald for Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill at Wyndham's Theatre

Imelda Staunton for Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre

 

Best actor in a supporting role

Bertie Carvel for Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre

John Hodgkinson for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

James McArdle for Angels In America at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Peter Polycarpou for Oslo at Harold Pinter Theatre

 

Best actress in a supporting role

Brid Brennan for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

Denise Gough for Angels In America at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Dearbhla Molloy for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

Imogen Poots for Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Harold Pinter Theatre

 

Best actor in a musical

Ciaran Hinds for Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic

John McCrea for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre

Giles Terera for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Jamael Westman for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

 

Best actress in a musical

Janie Dee for Follies at National Theatre - Olivier

Shirley Henderson for Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic

Imelda Staunton for Follies at National Theatre - Olivier

Josie Walker for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre

 

Best actor in a supporting role in a musical

Michael Jibson for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Ross Noble for Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre

Jason Pennycooke for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Cleve September for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

 

Best actress in a supporting role in a musical

Sheila Atim for Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic

Tracie Bennett for Follies at National Theatre - Olivier

Rachel John for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Lesley Joseph for Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre

 

Best director

Dominic Cooke for Follies at National Theatre - Olivier

Marianne Elliott for Angels In America at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Rupert Goold for Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre

Thomas Kail for Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Sam Mendes for The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

 

Best new play

The Ferryman at Gielgud Theatre and Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre

Ink at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre

Network at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Oslo at Harold Pinter Theatre

 

Mastercard best new musical

An American In Paris at Dominion Theatre

Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre

Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic

Hamilton at Victoria Palace Theatre

Young Frankenstein at Garrick Theatre