Matilda The Musical scoops 7 Olivier Awards

Matilda The Musical dominated the 2012 Olivier Awards this evening at the Royal Opera House, winning seven awards.

The 2012 Olivier Awards were presented at the Royal Opera House today in a star-studded ceremony organised by The Society of London Theatre.

The awards were dominated by the RSC’s production of Matilda The Musical which scooped seven awards including Best New Musical, Best Director for Matthew Warchus, Best Actress in a Musical for the four young Matilda leads, Sophia Kiely, Kerry Ingram, Cleo Demetriou and Eleanor Worthington Cox, and Best Actor in a Musical for Bertie Carvel. The show also won Best Sound Design for Simon Baker, Best Theatre Choreography for Peter Darling and Best Set Design for Rob Howell. Based on Roald Dahl’s best-selling children’s book and written by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin, the show continues to play to packed audiences at the Cambridge Theatre in London.

Other big winners tonight included the Donmar’s production of Anna Christie which scooped Best Revival for Rob Ashford’s production and Best Actress for Ruth Wilson.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller were jointly awarded the prize for Best Actor for their alternating roles in Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein at the National theatre, plus Bruno Poet won Best Lighting Design for the show. The National Theatre also took home Best New Play for Collaborators by John Hodge, although missed out on any awards for its blockbuster comedy One Man, Two Guvnors now playing on Broadway and at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The Open Air Theatre’s production of Crazy For You won both Best Musical Revival and Best Costume Design for Peter McKintosh. Other musical nods included the Radio Two Audience Award which went to Les Miserables and Nigel Harman winning Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Sheridan Smith, who won Best Actress in a Musical last year for her role in Legally Blonde, kept the momentum by taking home a Best Performance in a Supporting Role award for her role in Trevor Nunn’s Flare Path at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre went to the Theatre Royal Stratford East in association with the Barbican and Traverse Theatre for Roadkill.

In dance, the Outstanding Achievement in Dance went to Edward Watson for his acclaimed performance in The Metamorphosis at the Royal Opera House, and the Royal Opera House’s Dame Monica Mason was presented with a Special Award by Zoe Wanamaker for her extraordinary contribution to British dance. The Best New Dance Production went to DESH by Akram Khan Company at Sadler’s Wells.

In the Opera categories, English National Opera triumphed by winning both awards: Best New Opera Production for Castor And Pollux and the Outstanding Achievement in Opera award for the breadth and diversity of its artistic programme.

Best Entertainment and Family show was won by Derren Brown for Svengali, taking home his second Entertainment Olivier Award.

The evening ended with a Special Award tribute to lyricist Sir Tim Rice, with Siobhan McCarthy and Maria Friedman singing I know Him So Well from Chess, Elaine Paige performing Don’t Cry For Me Argentina from Evita and the cast of The Lion Ling.

Hosted for a second year by Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, who are currently starring in Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre, the awards celebrate the best of London’s West End Theatre.

LINKS

See the full list of Olivier Awards 2012 winners here

Olivier Awards microsite

WATCH the Olivier Awards on BBC iPlayer

 

Your theatre week, 21 to 27 March 2011

This week sees a number of birthday celebrations, including two American theatre greats: Stephen Sondheim turns 81 after a riotous year of 80th birthday tributes culminating in his Olivier Special Award, and this week marks the centenary of the great Tennessee Williams.

Also Priscilla makes it to two years old this week as the Broadway production starts camping it up on the other side of the Atlantic, and Kneehigh Theatre Company follow their acclaimed production of Brief Encounter with another reimagining of a cinema classic, this time French movie The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Tuesday 22 March

Kneehigh’s new production of French film classic The Umbrellas of Cherbourg opens tonight at the Gielgud Theatre starring Joanna Riding and Meow Meow.

Happy birthday Stephen Sondheim, who is 81 today.

Wednesday 23 March

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is 2 today, having opened on 23 March 2009.

Thursday 24 March

Dreamboats and Petticoats: Your last chance to enter the Dreamboats and Petticoats talent search, which ends at 9am on 31 March 2011.

Watch Frankenstein tonight in UK cinemas, starring Jonny Lee Miller as the Creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor.

Saturday 26 March

SMASH! starts at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London starring Tom Conti, written by award-winning playwright Jack Rosenthal (Yentl).

The Centenary of internationally acclaimed playwright Tennessee Williams is today. He was born on 26 March 1911.

 

Frankenstein in cinemas tonight

The National Theatre’s sold out production of Frankenstein will play two dates as part of the NT Live cinema programme, starting tonight.

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s new production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre will be screened live in cinemas today, 17  March 2011, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor.

On 24 March this will be reversed, with Jonny Lee Miller as the Creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor, allowing audiences to see both stars of the show in the leading roles.

This new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel has been reimagined by Nick Dear and told from the point of view of the monster. The first block of performances for the play are already sold out.

Critics have raved about Frankenstein, with Charles Spencer in the Telegraphy saying that director Danny Boyle, “pulls off something truly spectacular here.”

NT Live is an initiative to broadcast live performances of the National’s plays onto cinema screens in the UK and worldwide. The second season of National Theatre Live, which now covers 360 screens across 20 countries, recently screened the Donmar Warehouse’s production of King Lear, with Derek Jacobi, filmed at the Donmar’s home in Covent Garden on 3 February; following Frankenstein, Howard Davies’s production of The Cherry Orchard starring Zoe Wanamaker will be filmed on 30 June. A third season begins in the autumn.

Check the NT Live websites for times and locations

LINKS

NEWS: More news on Frankenstein
WATCH the Frankenstein video trailer
LISTEN to Frankenstein interview with writer Nick Dear
NT Live website

VIDEO: Frankenstein at the National Theatre

The National Theatre’s epic new production of Frankenstein, directed by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.

More news about Frankenstein

Frankenstein reviews

VIDEO

Frankenstein at the National Theatre

LINKS

Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV

Frankenstein – Reviews Round-up

A reviews round-up of Frankenstein at the National Theatre in London

Film director Danny Boyle has returned to the stage to create an atmospheric new production of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror novel Frankenstein at the National Theatre.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternate in the roles of Dr Frankenstein and his monster, and the critics praised both versions, although slightly favoured Cumberbatch as the monster.

The direction and design of the production enjoyed universal praise, although Nick Dear’s script was criticised by some reviewers for lacking the gravitas and weight of the production as a whole.

Frankenstein is now sold out at the Olivier Theatre, but will be screened live in cinemas on 17 March 2011 (Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature) and 24 March (Jonny Lee Miller as the Creature).

See reviews below for the Guardian, Telegraph, Times, Independent and Evening Standard.

LINKS

VIDEO: Watch Frankenstein trailer

NT Live – Frankenstein cinema dates

Frankenstein – News and information

Frankenstein: two dates for cinemas

The National Theatre’s sold out production of Frankenstein will play two dates as part of the NT Live cinema programme.

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s new production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre will be screened live in cinemas on two separate dates, the first time the initiative has covered two performances.

This is to allow audiences to see both stars of the show in the leading roles, as Benedict Cumberbatch andJonny Lee Miller alternate in the parts of Victor and his monster.

A screening on 17 March 2011 will see Benedict Cumberbatch star as the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller as Victor, and on 24 March this is reversed, with Jonny Lee Miller as the Creature and Benedict Cumberbatch as Victor.

This new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel has been reimagined by Nick Dear and told from the point of view of the monster. The first block of performances for the play are already sold out.

NT Live is an initiative to broadcast live performances of the National’s plays onto cinema screens in the UK and worldwide. The second season of National Theatre Live, which now covers 360 screens across 20 countries, recently screened the Donmar Warehouse’s production of King Lear, with Derek Jacobi, filmed at the Donmar’s home in Covent Garden on 3 February; following Frankenstein, Howard Davies’s production of The Cherry Orchard starring Zoe Wanamaker will be filmed on 30 June. A third season begins in the autumn.

Check the NT Live websites for times and locations

LINKS

News: Brian Cox to reveal Frankenstein science

News: Frankenstein cast: Cumberbatch and Miller

Frankenstein tickets at the National Theatre starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller

Oscar winning director Danny Boyle presents a brand new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic horror story Frankenstein at the National Theatre, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting).

Brian Cox to reveal Frankenstein science

The National Theatre is to run a series of talks in their Platform series this winter around the new production of Frankenstein.

“Beyond Frankenstein” will see leading figures from arts and science discuss a wide range of topics around the themes and history of Mary Shelley’s original novel, Frankenstein, including discussions by TV physicist Professor Brian Cox and acclaimed biographer Claire Tomalin.

The platform series will take place in the National’s Olivier Theatre and is linked to the forthcoming stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic horror novel, directed by  Danny Boyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller from 5 February 2011. Frankenstein will also be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and around the world on 17 March as part of National Theatre Live.

Frankenstein on Film on 24 February will see film historian Kim Newman take a look at movie versions of the Frankenstein tale, including Hollywood’s many interpretations of Shelley’s famous create.

On 4 March, Frankenstein’s Science will feature popular TV scientist Professor Brian Cox (Wonder of the Solar System) in discussion with Romantic biographer Richard Holmes on Mary Shelley’s remarkable exploration of man’s desire to bring life to an inanimate object. They will also explore whether the notion is possible, in both the 19th century and today.

Frankenstein’s Creator: Mary Shelley on 15 March sees award-winning biographer Claire Tomalin offer a glimpse into the life of Mary Shelley. Tomalin wrote the biography of Mary’s mother Mary Wollstonecraft, and will be joined by author of Young Romantics, Daisy Hay.

Finally, Josephine Hart presents Romantic Poetry on 15 April will see the acclaimed novelist and presenter offer star-studded readings that will bring the great romantic-gothic world of Frankenstein to life in the form of the work of Shelley, Byron and their Romantic contemporaries.

In addition to the Beyond Frankenstein platforms, Frankenstein director Danny Boyle and adaptor Nick Dear will discuss their new production on 14 March 2011.

Other platforms running alongside the National’s new season include director Marianne Elliott on her new production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Christmas tale, Bill T Jones on FELA!, Ron Moody on his new memoir, Edward Petherbridge discusses his work, Nicholas Hytner explores the rehearsal process for Hamlet with members of the acting company, there will be a series of afternoon interviews with members of the companies of Twelfth Night and Hamlet, including Rory Kinnear, Clare Higgins, David Calder, Rebecca Hall and Simon Callow, and a series of “in conversations” will feature Mark Gatiss, Catherine Tate and David Troughton.

Book tickets to Frankenstein at the National Theatre

LINKS

News: Frankenstein at the National Theatre
Booking for the National Theatre’s Platforms series

JONNY LEE MILLER in Frankenstein

Jonny Lee Miller reunited with director Danny Boyle for Frankenstein at the National

Film director Danny Boyle has cast his new production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre. The show begins at the Olivier theatre from February 2011 and will see Jonny Lee Miller reunited with the Trainspotting director, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock). In an interesting casting twist, both stars will alternate in the roles of Dr Frankenstein and his monster.

Jonny Lee Miller worked with Boyle in his 1996 break-out movie Trainspotting, and has gone on to cover a number of TV, film and stage roles.

In theatre his performances include Beautiful Thing (Bush Theatre), Festen (Almeida and Lyric Theatre), Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Ambassador’s Theatre) and After Miss Julie on Broadway.

Once married to Angelina Jolie, his extensive film and TV work includes Douglas Mackinnon’s The Flying Scotsman, After Glow alongside Nick Nolte and Julie Christie and TV drama Eli Stone.

This new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel has been reimagined by Nick Dear and told from the point of view of the monster.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH in Frankenstein

TV’s Sherlock to play Frankenstein and his monster

Film director Danny Boyle has cast his new production of Frankenstein at the National Theatre, and it’s going to be good!

The show starts in the Olivier theatre from February 2011 and will see Benedict Cumberbatch return to the venue alongside movie star Jonny Lee Miller. And to keep things fresh they will be alternating the roles of Dr Frankenstein and his monster.

There is no doubt that Benedict Cumberbatch has hit the mainstream this year, enjoying a huge hit playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s modern take on Conan Doyle’s books – Sherlock.

He is also no stranger to the National, having played the lead in Thea Sharrock’s acclaimed production of Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance earlier this year.

And his fame will be further sealed with some forthcoming, high-profile movie roles including Steven Spielberg’s film version of the National Theatre’s War Horse, and a new version of John le Carre’s classic spy novel Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy alongside Gary Oldman and Colin Firth.

Trained at LAMDA, Cumberbatch’s past stage roles include work for the Open Air Theatre and the Almeida – including an Olivier Award nomination for his performance in Hedda Gabler in 2005. And on TV and film he has played alongside Rebecca Hall in Starter for Ten,  gave an acclaimed performance as Stephen Hawking for the BBC, and played William Pitt in Michael Apted’s movie Amazing Grace.

This new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic Gothic novel has been reimagined by Nick Dear and told from the point of view of the monster.

Frankenstein in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre will start previews from 5 February with press nights on 22 and 23 February, and the show is currently booking until 17 April, with further dates to be announced. The show is suitable only for 15 years+. Public booking for Frankenstein opens on 1 December 2010.

A series of special Platforms talks called ‘Beyond Frankenstein’ will run alongside the production: Frankenstein on Film on  24 February looks at Hollywood and the Frankenstein story; Frankenstein’s Science on 4 March sees Dr Brian Cox talk to Richard Holmes about the science behind Mary Shelley’s creature; Frankenstein’s Creator: Mary Shelley on 15 March sees acclaimed biographer Claire Tomalin discuss the life of the author of Frankenstein; and Josephine Hart presents Romantic Poetry on 15 April, revealing the works of Shelley, Byron and their Romantic contemporaries.

Frankenstein will also be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and around the world on 17 March as part of National Theatre Live.

Book tickets to Frankenstein at the National Theatre

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