2020 Olivier Award Nominations

2020 Olivier Award Nominations

On Tuesday 3 March, nominations for the 2020 Olivier Awards were announced. Widely acknowledged as one of British theatre’s most prestigious awards, these nominations demonstrate the range of productions, talent and enterprise showcased on our stages over the past year.

We’re delighted to celebrate news that many of our alumni have been nominated, or have worked on nominated productions. Their work has been recognised across a number of disciplines including sound, lighting, set, costume and movement design, and performance, through to direction and stage management.

In addition to this, we’d like to extend our congratulations to current BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre student, Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez, who will be presented with a Laurence Olivier Bursary at this year’s awards ceremony. Established by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) in 1987 to mark the 80th birthday of Central alumnus, Lord Olivier, the Laurence Olivier Bursaries provide financial support to exceptional students. Previous bursary winners have included Denise Gough, Bryony Hannah, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor, Daniel Rigby, Vinette Robinson, Juma Sharkah, Michaela Coel and Michael Sheen.

We’re also delighted to see that our Former Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors, Peter Roberts, will receive a special Olivier Award in recognition of his career, which began in rock’n’roll tours and went on to include 40 years of service at Delfont Mackintosh as Production Manager and Technical Director.

Update: This year’s Olivier Award Ceremony was scheduled to take place at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 5 April, however in light of new UK Government advice in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the ceremony was rescheduled to take place on Sunday 25 October. 

CENTRAL ALUMNI NOMINEES IN FULL:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

  • Jack Loxton (BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre 2013) for Dear Evan Hansen at Noël Coward Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

  • Audrey Brisson (BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre 2009) for Amélie the Musical at The Other Palace

Best Sound Design

  • Emma Laxton (BA (Hons) Theatre Studies 1998) for Emilia at Vaudeville Theatre

Best Entertainment or Comedy Play

  • Emilia at Vaudeville Theatre, with sound design from Emma Laxton (BA (Hons) Theatre Studies 1998) and choreography from Anna Morrissey (MA Movement Studies 2005), with assistance from MFA Movement student, Christina Fulcher, for the West End transfer
  • Magic Goes Wrong at Vaudeville Theatre, with lighting design from David Howe(Tech 1993) and sound design from Paul Groothuis (Tech 1981)
  • The Upstart Crow at Gielgud Theatre, with performance from Rachel Summers(MA Acting for Screen 2010)

Best Musical Revival

  • Fiddler on the Roof at Playhouse Theatre, with Lynsey Fraser (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2005) as Deputy Stage Manager and Ben Smith (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2018) as Sound No 2
  • Mary Poppins at Prince Edward Theatre, produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh (Tech 1965) with book from Julian Fellowes (Webber Douglas)

Best Revival

  • Cyrano De Bergerac at Playhouse Theatre, with performance from Nari Blair-Mangat (BA (Hons) Acting 2008)
  • Death of a Salesman at Young Vic and Piccadilly Theatre, with sound design from Carolyn Downing (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2002)
  • Rosmersholm at Duke of York’s Theatre, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) with casting from Amy Ball (MA Advanced Theatre Practice 1997)

Best Family Show

  • Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear –  the Musical! at National Theatre – Dorfman, with sound design from Carolyn Downing (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2002), and performance from Richard Cant (Stage 1989) and Keziah Joseph (BA (Hons) Acting 2016)
  • Oi Frog and Friends! at Lyric Theatre, with puppetry design from Yvonne Stone(BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2003)
  • The Worst Witch at Vaudeville Theatre, with performance from Anna Crichlow(BA (Hons) Acting 2016)

Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre

  • Baby Reindeer at Bush Theatre, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) 
  • Our Lady of Kibeho at Theatre Royal Stratford East, with movement from Diane Alison-Mitchell (MA Movement Studies 2008)
  • Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre, with set design from Rajha Shakiry (MA Scenography 2011)
  • Warheads at Park Theatre, with lighting design from Pablo Fernandez Baz (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2004)

Best New Play

  • The Doctor at Almeida Theatre, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985), with sound design from Tom Gibbons (BA (Hons) Theatre Practice 2008), and performance from Nathalie Armin (Stage 1992), Paul Higgins (Stage 1986) and Daniel Rabin (BA (Hons) Acting 1996)
  • Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre, produced by Sonia Friedman (Tech 1985) with casting from Amy Ball (MA Advanced Theatre Practice 1997)

Best New Musical

  • Amélie the Musical at The Other Palace, starring Audrey Brisson (BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre 2009)
  • Dear Evan Hansen at Noël Coward Theatre, with performance from Jack Loxton(BA (Hons) Acting Musical Theatre 2013)

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