Olivier Awards 2016

I agree that Johnny Flynn was a likely nominee but Tom Sturridge was also excellent. (I didn't see any of the other nominees' performances).

She did well to get on stage and perform so well at the ceremony considering. I was nowhere near as mature at her age, I was mostly focused on getting drunk and going on the pull.

Johnny Flynn really ought to have been nominated but there are plenty of other performers who might have got one too. The awards also really show up that these are for the West End so Amanda Lawrence misses out which is a real shame. What I find odd is that bar a few exceptions the nominated shows have all opened just before or after Christmas, so any show that was on last summer has a lesser chance of getting nominated. What is the qualifying period?

If I remember rightly Nell Gwynn only played a dozen or so performances at the Globe? Therefore it wouldn't have been eligible in any category for its run there.

I was surprised High Society got nothing! I would've thought it at least deserved Choreography or Revival. Not to mention Kate Fleetwood, who was brilliant! 

Well I haven't seen all the nominees yet but a few things leapt out at me when seeing the nominee list.

- like a lot of other people, my first thought was how on earth they could have overlooked Johnny Flynn. That's simply crazy! Michael Pennington nominated for The Winter's Tale? He was fine, but certainly not better than the likes of Johnny Flynn! From that list surely it has to go to Tom Sturridge.

- Kenneth Branagh is seriously nominated for The Winter's Tale? I was in the camp that thought he was the weakest, wooden link of the production. Sad there is no nomination for John Heffernan for Oppenheimer, in which I thought he was excellent.

- The best actress category is pretty strong which is great to see.

They're all classic shows, you could quibble about Merrily, given its chequered history and The Magic Flute was a South African reworking of the Mozart original but all are very highly regarded.

Occasionally they do go for a less expected show like Sunny Afternoon but that's a list to be pleased with.

Shenton is doing a series with London Theatre Guide discussing the awards, who he thinks and who he wants to win... its interesting reading! He has done the four Actress categories this week:

www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/ltg16/shentonolivierawardsactress16.htm

So personally, in line of his, my four choices:

Best Actress: I am ashamed to say I have seen none of these performances (though I am booked to see both Nell Gwynn and People, Places and Things!) but I am basing it on reviews, it will be Denise. I would love to see Gemma win though, and she is probably the second choice to win so I can only hope.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Again, I haven't seen any of the four (I don't see plays often, sorry!) but I am predicting Judi Dench.

Best Actress in a Musical: Need I say more.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical: I would honestly be thrilled if any of the four won! I have seen all four in their respective roles and I would say each of them do well. Preeya is scene stealing and the best part of Bend It Like Beckham. Amy is great, but I fear her role is too small to match the others in this category. Lara was stunning as Louise and holds herself strongly against Imelda. Emma was fantastic and stole the entire show and carry's it completely on her shoulders. My guess would be Lara but don't count out Emma just yet, I wouldn't be surprised if either were up there on the night but all deserving nominees.

I really wasn't pleased with the 'Best Supporting Actor in a Musical' category. Gavin Spokes from Guys and Dolls was good, but not sure about the rest.

Peter Davison-He was quite a good actor, but I felt his singing was really weak. It was a real shame, because Gypsy was great but he ruined it a bit.
David Bedella-I loved David in The Rocky Horror Show, but I felt he was severely miscast and his voice did not suit the songs.
Dan Burton-I'm in the minority here, but I don't even remember his performance. From what I can remember he was ok, but I felt he just faded into the background.

I was surprised they were chosen over Jamie Campbell Bower and Jamal Andreas from Bend It Like Beckham, Alexis Gerred from American Idiot and Joe Aaron Reid from In the Heights

I also wasn't too keen on Sophie Thompson from Guys and Dolls. I found her voice to be a little whiny. She was putting this on for the role, but it just felt so unnecessary and it put me off her. She was chosen over Lily Frazer from In the Heights and Siobhan Harrison from Guys and Dolls.

Really happy to see Kinky Boots, In the Heights (well apart from David Bedella) and Bend It Like Beckham get nominations!

I felt the same way about Anthony Ramos in Hamilton. No one is even mentioning him in Tony Award predictions but I thought he phenomenal!

Do you think Dan Burton will win? I want Gavin Spokes to win but I feel Peter Davison may win.

Jamie Campbell Bower was really good the night I went, but I know I am in the minority with that thought.

Surprised that great shows such as Di and Viv and Rose, Hay Fever, The Elephant Man, American Idiot, The Trial, Ticking, Harlequinade and The Master Builder. Any ideas as to why some of these were completely left out?

According to Wikipedia the Arts Theatre is West End.