The waiting is finally over – The Oliver Awards, postponed from April have just been handed out in a scaled-back production from the beautiful Cinderella bar in the London Palladium.
Three shows shared the top billing for the night with musicals & Juliet and Dear Evan Hansen and comedy Emilia each taking home three statuettes. In the “war of the musicals” it was, perhaps, Dear Evan Hansen that just edged it, scooping awards for Best Original Score and Best New Musical. All three awards for & Juliet came in the acting categories, while Emilia took home prizes for production including costume & sound.
The show featured a special appearance by Sir Ian McKellen who was honoured with a seventh award for his achievement in raising over £4million for local theatres through his 80th Birthday Tour. Sir Ian visited a staggering 80 theatres from Jersey to Orkney, raising money for all manner of vital local projects – something we can’t thank him enough for!
A Special Olivier Award went to Don Black in recognition of his career as a lyricist – he was joined by long-time collaborator, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. The ceremony was hosted by Jason Manford and included an appearance by The Duchess of Cornwall.
Full list of winners:
Best Actress
Sharon D. Clarke for Death Of A Salesman (Young Vic and Piccadilly Theatre)
Best Actor
Andrew Scott for Present Laughter (The Old Vic)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Indira Varma for Present Laughter (The Old Vic)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Adrian Scarborough for Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre)
Best Actor in a Musical
Sam Tutty for Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre)
Best Actress in a Musical
Miriam Teak-Lee for & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
David Bedella for & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Cassidy Janson for & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre)
Mastercard Best New Musical
Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre)
Best Original Score or New Orchestrations
Benj Pasek/Justin Paul/Alex Lacamoire for Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre)
Magic Radio Best Musical Revival
Fiddler on the Roof (Playhouse Theatre)
American Airlines Best New Play
Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre)
Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director
Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell for Death Of A Salesman (Young Vic and Piccadilly Theatre)
Cunard Best Revival
Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre)
Best Theatre Choreographer
Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear for Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre)
Best New Dance Production
Ingoma by Mthuthuzeli November for Ballet Black (Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre)
Outstanding Achievement in Dance
Sara Baras for her choreography and performance in Ballet Flamenco – Sombras (Sadler’s Wells)
Noël Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm for Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
Best Family Show
The Worst Witch (Vaudeville Theatre)
Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre
Baby Reindeer (Bush Theatre)
Best New Opera Production
Billy Budd (Royal Opera House)
Outstanding achievement in Opera
The Children’s Ensemble for their performance in Noye’s Fludde (Theatre Royal Stratford East)
Blue-I Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
Bob Crowley for Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre)
White Light Award for Best Lighting Design
Paule Constable for The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (National Theatre – Dorfman)
Royal Albert Hall Award for Best Sound Design
Emma Laxton for Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
Best Costume Design
Joanna Scotcher for Emilia (Vaudeville Theatre)
Special Olivier Award
Sir Ian McKellen
Special Olivier Award
Don Black