IAI at the Olivier Awards Nominees Lunch
 

The IAI team caught up with legendary Queen guitarist Brian May and Merlin star Anthony Head at the Laurence Olivier Awards Nominees Lunch. Check out IAI TV’s latest videos to see what they had to say about emerging British talent and how to make it in the industry.

In an outstanding year for drama in London theatre, new plays and revivals of classics lead the pack in the nominations. The strength of talent has been so strong that the Best Actor, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Revival categories have been extended to six nominations each.

Lucy Prebble’s ENRON and Jez Butterworth’s JERUSALEM have six nominations each, going head to head in the Best New Play category, along with Katori Hall’s THE MOUNTAINTOP and John Logan’s RED.

Best Actor is extended to six nominations to acknowledge the  performances of James Earl Jones, Jude Law, James McAvoy, Mark Rylance, Ken Stott and Samuel West. The leading ladies are equally impressive with Gillian Anderson, Lorraine Burroughs, Imelda Staunton, Juliet Stevenson and Rachel Weisz all nominated in the Best Actress category.

Keira Knightley faces stiff competition in the extended Best Actress in a Supporting Role shortlist from fellow nominees Hayley Atwell, Michelle Dockery, Alexandra Gilbreath, Rachel Stirling and Ruth Wilson.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role nominees Mackenzie Crook, Rory Kinnear, Tim Pigott-Smith and Eddie Redmayne round off the list of acting awards which showcases the finest international and home grown talent.

The shortlist for this year’s Audience Award For Most Popular Show, voted for by visitors to the Official London Theatre website pits BILLY ELLIOT, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, WAR HORSE, WE WILL ROCK YOU and WICKED against each other. Members of the public can choose their winner at www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/vote.