(Lanre Bakare’s article appeared in the Guardian, 4/14; Photo of Nicole Scherzinger, from True Story.)
Jamie Lloyd’s revival takes home seven awards including for Nicole Scherzinger but film and TV stars in other productions miss out
Jamie Lloyd’s bombastic reimagining of Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger was the standout show at this year’s Olivier awards, with seven wins on an evening when productions with celebrity talent were often overlooked.
The Savoy theatre adaptation of Billy Wilder’s classic 1950 film about the dark side of the Hollywood dream took home best actor in a musical for Tom Francis and best actress in a musical for Scherzinger. Lloyd – described as creating “a stupendous sense of reinvention” by the Guardian – won best director.
LIST OF WINNERS
Noël Coward award for best new entertainment or comedy play
Stranger Things: The First Shadow by Kate Trefry at the Phoenix theatre
Best family show
Dinosaur World Live by Derek Bond at Regent’s Park Open Air theatre
Gillian Lynne award for best theatre choreographer
Arlene Phillips with James Cousins for Guys and Dolls at the Bridge theatre
Best costume design
Marg Horwell for The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best revival
Vanya by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Simon Stephens at the Duke of York’s theatre
Best musical revival
Sunset Boulevard, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics and book by Don Black and Christopher Hampton at the Savoy theatre
Best sound design
Adam Fisher for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy theatre
Outstanding musical contribution
Alan Williams for musical supervision and musical direction for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy theatre
Best actor in a supporting role
Will Close for Dear England at the National theatre – Olivier and Prince Edward theatre
Best actress in a supporting role
Haydn Gwynne for When Winston Went to War With the Wireless at the Donmar Warehouse
Best set design
Miriam Buether for set design and 59 Productions for video design for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix theatre
Best lighting design
Jack Knowles for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy theatre
Best actress in a supporting role in a musical
Amy Trigg for The Little Big Things at @sohoplace
Best actor in a supporting role in a musical
Jak Malone for Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune theatre
Best new opera production
Innocence by the Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House
