MATILDA WINS BIG AT THE OLIVIER AWARDS

Posted on Apr 16, 2012 | By London Theatre Direct

The crowd-pleasing, critic-taming beast that is Matilda continued its unstoppable wave of success with a stunning seven wins at the Olivier Awards last night. The glittering ceremony held at the Royal Opera House and hosted by Sweeney Todd stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton also saw Sheridan Smith, Nigel Harman and Jonny Lee Miller pick up awards.

Matilda was, as expected, clearly the show to beat on the night.    Nominated for all ten categories it was eligible for the show picked up the coveted Best New Musical as well as awards for Set Design, Sound Design, choreography and Best Director for Michael Warchus.    In addition the show's cast triumphed with Bertie Carvel taking Best Actor in a Musical for his stunning turn as loathsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull and all four actresses who share the title role winning Best Actress in a musical.   Aged between ten and twelve the four girls are the youngest ever recipients of an Olivier.   For Best New Musical the show beat out Betty Blue Eyes, Ghost, London Road and Shrek.

The Mastercard award for Best New Play went to screenwriter John Hodge's debut play Collaborators at the Cottesloe Theatre, with The Ladykillers, Jumpy and One Man, Two Guvnors all losing out.   The Donmar's production of Anna Christie won over Noises Off, Flare Path and David Tennant and Catherine Tate's Much Ado About Nothing in the play category of Best Revival.   Ruth Wilson took home Best Actress in a Play for her role as Anna in the piece which she starred in opposite Jude Law.    Best Actor in a Play went to both TV's new Sherlock Benedict Cumberbatch and Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller for their alternating roles in Frankenstein at the Olivier Theatre.    Frankenstein also picked up Best Lighting over Matilda.

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of Crazy For You took home Best Musical Revival where it opened before its transfer to the Novello Theatre.   A year after her Best Actress in a Musical win for Legally Blonde, Sheridan Smith snagged the award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for her superb portrayal of a barmaid in love with a Polish airman in Flare Path.   Ex-Eastenders heartthrob Nigel Harman was awarded Best Supporting Role in a Musical for his villainous Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical.

The Radio 2 Audience Award for best longrunning show went to Les Miserables which triumphed over Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys and Wicked.

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