Mickey-Jo predicts the Olivier Awards 2025 nominations with Aeron James

Summary

Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre - Predictions for the Olivier Awards 2025 with Aaron James

Episode Information

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
• Guest: Aaron James
• Episode Title: Mickey-Jo predicts the Olivier Awards 2025 nominations with Aeron James
• Release Date: February 28, 2025
• Description: Mickey-Jo and Aaron James delve into their predictions for the 2025 Laurence Olivier Awards, discussing potential nominees across various categories, from Best New Musical to creative achievements in theatre.

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Introduction to the Olivier Awards

The episode kicks off with Mickey-Jo and Aaron James expressing their excitement and anxiety over predicting the Olivier Awards nominations. They highlight the significance of the awards as the British equivalent of the Tony Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in West End theatre.

• Mickey Jo [00:09]: "It is time for the Olivier Awards 2025."
• Aaron James [00:12]: "This is always that nerve-wracking video when we have to kind of go, we have to commit to what we think is going to happen."

They mention the upcoming ceremony on April 6, 2025, hosted by Beverly Knight and Billy Porter, setting the stage for their detailed predictions.

Understanding Eligibility

A crucial part of their discussion revolves around the eligibility criteria for the Olivier Awards. They explain that only theatres with membership in the Society of London Theatre are eligible, such as the Donmar and Almeida. Productions like the Producers Revival fall into the affiliate category and are not eligible for main categories.

• Mickey Jo [01:53]: "They have to be a part of the Society of London Theatre membership theatres."
• Aaron James [01:27]: "Like the Donmar and the Almeida are eligible in the main categories because they pay to be entered in the main categories."

They also touch upon the cutoff date for productions, February 14, 2025, noting that some shows may straddle eligibility periods, leading to potential surprises in nominations.

Best New Musical

The hosts delve into their predictions for the Best New Musical category, identifying major contenders and discussing the balance between new British musicals and commercial heavyweights.

• Aaron James [04:34]: "Let's start with Best New Musical."
• Mickey Jo [05:06]: "There are a handful of other new British musicals... Cathy and Stella, Solve a Murder..."

Predicted Nominees:

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2. Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
3. Hello Dolly
4. MJ the Musical
5. Mean Girls

They anticipate strong showings from both critically acclaimed productions and commercially successful musicals, with special mentions for "Mean Girls" securing the fifth spot.

Best New Play

Moving to Best New Play, Mickey-Jo and Aaron examine recent transfers of significant plays and their eligibility. They predict nominations based on critical reception and the impact of performances.

• Mickey Jo [07:22]: "It feels like a lot of these have opened really recently or have sort of announced transfers recently."

Predicted Nominees:

1. The Years
2. Kyoto
3. Giant
4. Oedipus

They also discuss potential inclusions like "Slave Play" and the complexities of categorizing ensemble casts.

Musical Revivals

The discussion shifts to musical revivals, a prominent category this year with several high-profile productions.

• Mickey Jo [09:29]: "This has been a big year for musical revivals."

Predicted Nominees:

1. Oliver! (Gielgud Theatre)
2. Starlight Express (Troubadour Theatre)
3. Hello Dolly (London Palladium)
4. Fiddler on the Roof (Regent's Park)

They consider the artistic and commercial success of these revivals, noting their strong chances for multiple nominations.

Leading Performances in Musicals

Focusing on individual performances, Mickey-Jo and Aaron predict nominees for leading actors and actresses in musicals, highlighting standout performances.

• Mickey Jo [15:10]: "I dare say there's been a year in the past that it has been five."

Leading Actress in a Musical:

1. Imelda Staunton for "Hello Dolly"
   • Mickey Jo [15:59]: "She's probably gonna win. It's too early to have that conversation, but she is most certainly she will be nominated."
2. Stephanie J. Block for "Kiss Me Kate"
3. Claire Foster for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
4. Georgina Castle for "Mean Girls"

Leading Actor in a Musical:

1. John Daglish for "MJ the Musical"
2. Simon Lipkin for "Oliver!"
3. Jeevan Brech for "Starlight Express"
4. Miles Frost for his performance in "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812"

Leading Performances in Plays

In the dramatic categories, predictions focus on intense and critically acclaimed performances.

Leading Actor in a Play:

1. John Lithgow for "Giant"
2. Mark Strong for "Oedipus"
3. Stephen Kunken for "Kyoto"
4. Adrien Brody (anticipated nomination)

Leading Actress in a Play:

1. Lesley Manville for "Oedipus"
2. Sharna Clarke for "Death of a Salesman"
3. Sinead Cleary for "Mackinac"
4. Susan Wakoma Eaglesanta for "The Real Thing"

Supporting Performances and Creative Categories

The hosts also explore supporting roles and creative achievements, recognizing the ensemble casts and technical excellence.

Supporting Actress in a Musical:

1. Jenna Russell
2. Mimuna Menon for "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812"
3. Amy de Bartolomeo for "The Devil Wears Prada"
4. Shanae Holmes for "Oliver!"
5. Jamie Moscato for "Starlight Express"

Supporting Actor in a Play:

1. Jorge Bosch for "Kyoto"
2. Elliot Levy for "Giant"
3. Patrick Vale for "Elektra"
4. Fisio for "Slave Play"

Creative Categories:

• Set Design: "Spirited Away," "Starlight Express," "Oliver!," and "Kyoto"
• Choreography: "MJ the Musical," "Hello Dolly," and "Starlight Express"
• Costume Design: "Spirited Away," "Starlight Express," "Oliver!," and "Hello Dolly"
• Sound Design: "Starlight Express," "Elektra," "Inside Number 9," and "Kyoto"

Anticipated Outcomes and Surprises

Mickey-Jo and Aaron express their openness to surprises, acknowledging the unpredictability of the Olivier Awards and the possibility of unexpected nominations.

• Mickey Jo [42:52]: "Ensure at least one huge surprise."

They encourage listeners to share their predictions and engage in discussions as the nominations are announced on March 4th.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reiterating their predictions and expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming nominations and ceremony. They invite listeners to tune in for live reactions and further coverage as the awards draw closer.

• Mickey Jo [43:54]: "Make sure we will know the date before then. And I will put up a live stream in advance..."

They emphasize the community aspect of theatre criticism and their eagerness to engage with their audience’s thoughts and opinions.

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Notable Quotes:

• Mickey Jo [15:59]: "She's probably gonna win. It's too early to have that conversation, but she is most certainly she will be nominated."
• Aaron James [04:34]: "Let's start with Best New Musical."
• Mickey Jo [42:52]: "Ensure at least one huge surprise."

Timestamp Highlights:

• 00:00 - 02:43: Introduction and eligibility criteria
• 04:34 - 07:05: Best New Musical predictions
• 07:22 - 12:16: Best New Play predictions
• 09:29 - 10:59: Musical revivals overview
• 15:10 - 20:59: Leading performances in musicals
• 21:06 - 25:54: Leading performances in plays
• 26:05 - 35:28: Supporting performances and creative categories
• 35:52 - 43:54: Final predictions and conclusion

This comprehensive discussion offers insights into the thought process behind award nominations, the balance between critical acclaim and commercial success, and the ever-present potential for unexpected outcomes in the world of theatre awards.

Transcript

[Mickey Jo]

Oh my God. Hey.

[Aaron James]

Hello. It is that time of year again.

[Mickey Jo]

It is indeed. It is time for the Olivier Awards 2025.

[Aaron James]

You know, I love to talk about this all through the year.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

But this is always that nerve wracking video when we have to kind of go, we have to commit to what.

[Mickey Jo]

We think is going to happen.

[Aaron James]

And then, and then everybody says whether we were right or wrong.

[Mickey Jo]

What we're going to be doing in today's video or podcast, if you are listening to us on podcast platforms, is discussing the potential nominees for the 25 Laurence Olivier Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement in the last year of West End theatre in London. It's the British equivalent of the Tony Awards. Yeah, we're going to be talking about the Oliviers because the announcement of the nominations is due in the coming weeks. The ceremony itself is taking place on the 6th of April this year. It's going to be hosted by Beverly Knight and Billy Porter. Very fun, very exciting. And we're going to be talking about the potential nominations for such shows in the last year as hello Dolly, Starlight Express, the Oliver Revival, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, why Am I so Single in the World of Plays? We're talking about Kyoto Giant, the Years. If you're wondering why there are some productions which aren't discussed by us today, it is most likely because they are not actually eligible. So talk to us about how eligibility works. Erin James, I'll let you answer this one because it's a mind.

[Aaron James]

So they have to be a salt.

[Mickey Jo]

Theatre Society of London Theatre membership theatres.

[Aaron James]

Like the Donmar and the Almeida are eligible in the main categories because they pay to be entered in the main categories. Similarly like the Peacock and. Yeah, and the Hampstead Theatre.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

So some theatres like that are eligible, whereas places like the Menier, where obviously the Producers Revival has been recently, that fit. It is in the affiliate category and is not eligible for the main category.

[Mickey Jo]

And some of them may surprise you because we know obviously the big commercial West End stuff is eligible, but like you were mentioning, the likes of the Donmar, the Almeida, the Other Palace, Riverside Studios, even. So, anything that has played a substantial run at those venues is eligible if it had its official press opening night.

[Aaron James]

Before the 14th or on the 14th of February.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah, 14th of February 2025 was the cutoff and the commencement date was sometime late February last year. But as you can imagine, there aren't a lot of shows opening around the commencement this year. Being a bit of a weird example for that because we've had at least two high profile productions open since the season ended.

[Aaron James]

And this is why people get confused as well, because both of those productions did start performances before that date. It seems to be that much Ado and Richard were second half of the next year's eligibility.

[Mickey Jo]

But listen, the Olivier Awards managed to find a way to surprise us every single year. Shows we don't anticipate being eligible suddenly are. There are things we anticipate about this year's eligibility that we could find out are incorrect. There are people that we are assuming might be leading performers who turn out to be supporting performers every year. They surprise us one way or another.

[Aaron James]

There's also some years where multiple performers are nominated as one singular unit, which.

[Mickey Jo]

I think we might see again. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. So let's talk through the nominations we think we will see in the coming weeks for performers, productions and creatives. We're not going to talk through every category because we haven't seen a lot of opera, dance or honestly much affiliate theatre this year, or family productions, so we're going to skip over those. But everything else, even though we haven't seen everything, we are going to make some educated guesses. Right before we do start, I want to flash forward to the future and talk about some of the numbers that we think we might see based on these nominations. Here are the shows we think might be the most and least successful in the coming weeks. We have the revival of Oliver as well as the revival of Starlight Express, both leading with eight nominations. Right behind that, another revival. Hello Dolly with seven. Kyoto the Play also with seven, still doing well. MJ the Musical with five, same as Giant. Then we have a bunch of shows, Spirited Away the Years, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button with four. We're also predicting recognition for Oedipus and for Fiddler on the Roof, Mean Girls, Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, the Devil Wears Prada with two or three nominations each, but a whole host of shows not getting remembered, not getting nominated. So now let's talk about how we got to those numbers and predict this year's Olivier Award nominations. Which category would you like to start with? Aaron James?

[Aaron James]

Let's start with the biggie.

[Mickey Jo]

Uh huh.

[Aaron James]

Let's start with Best New Musical.

[Mickey Jo]

Best New Musical. It's the biggie as far as we're concerned. Well, we really saw a divide this year between new British musicals and a lot of commercial heavyweights.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

Which productions would you say are a lock for Best New Musical?

[Aaron James]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Burton I.

[Mickey Jo]

Think is a lock.

[Aaron James]

And great comet, Natasha Pierre and the.

[Mickey Jo]

Great Comet of 1812 at the Donmar Warehouse. Yes. Not the same as the original Broadway production, but still its UK premiere and will still be considered a new musical, just like Next to Normal was.

[Aaron James]

One is on currently, one is only recently closed and both got very good, strong reviews from the critical side.

[Mickey Jo]

There are a handful of other new British musicals, or even not British musicals, but sort of new shows. I'm thinking about Cathy and Stella. Solve a Murder. I'm thinking about Babies at the Other Palace. I'm thinking about Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith.

[Aaron James]

So I don't know if Babies is eligible or not.

[Mickey Jo]

Babies is a question mark. We think they might not have been eligible. The conspicuous one in the category as well, possibly by omission. Two strangers carry a keg across New York, which, from what we know, was.

[Aaron James]

Eligible last year and didn't manage to get a nomination.

[Mickey Jo]

Correct.

[Aaron James]

Which makes me really sad because then following that, it has been loved so much.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. We don't believe that the Run at the Criterion is going to be eligible because the Run at the Kiln was eligible, but it wasn't nominated there because it didn't really have the same kind of profile. I think it would be non reflective of the year that we've had if it wasn't included. Yeah, I think it's been a big part of the year.

[Aaron James]

I feel similarly. We'll probably see why Am I so Single There as a show that recently closed but had a well enough critical response.

[Mickey Jo]

So you think why Am I so Single does get a nomination for Best New Musical?

[Aaron James]

I think so.

[Mickey Jo]

I do as well. We have seen four nominees for Best New Musical many years in a row, with the exception of 2022, when we actually saw five nominees for Best New Musical again in 2018. For that fourth slot, then we're looking at shows that were not necessarily reviewed as well, but have been very commercially successful. We're talking about MJ at the Prince Edward. We're talking about the Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion. We're talking about Mean Girls at the Savoy. If we have left only one slot between those shows, who do you think it will go to?

[Aaron James]

Mj?

[Mickey Jo]

You think MJ gets the fourth slot?

[Aaron James]

I think so. Mean Girls cover what's On Stage Award.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Mean Girls gets the fourth slot. Let's call it five nominees because I don't think we're going to come to an agreement here because I really do think Mean Girls is going to be on there. Let's move on then and talk about the Best New Play. It feels like a lot of these have opened really recently or have sort of announced transfers recently.

[Aaron James]

Well, what's, what's interesting is that they are all transfers of these big new plays that feel like they're runners. They're actually. This is the second run of a season of that show.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

And like for a show like the Years, both productions are eligible as one combined. So the Almeida run and the West End run will be credited if it gets nominations.

[Mickey Jo]

Yes. As opposed to something like Kyoto at. At Soho Place, where its initial venue, the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford Upon Avon was outside of London. So that wasn't eligible. But the transfer now is exactly the Years and Kyoto are both two of the plays we're expecting to see nominated for Best New Play. Another is Giant, which will be nominated for its run at the Royal Court because it hasn't started its West End transfer yet, even though it is going to be transferring to the West End.

[Aaron James]

And I could also see Shifters appear in this list.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, I'd like to see shifters appear there. Yeah.

[Aaron James]

We have Slave Play.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, how had I forgotten about Slave.

[Aaron James]

Play and the Hot Wing King.

[Mickey Jo]

And the Hot Wing King at the National Theme.

[Aaron James]

But I don't think the Hot Wing King got it. Didn't seem to have the buzz around it, whereas Slave Play did.

[Mickey Jo]

But it didn't make much of an industry wide impact. Neither of us saw it, which is particularly unhelpful. But we did see Slave Play and that of course, prior to Stereophonic, just slightly overtaking its title, was the most Tony Award nominated play of all time over on Broadway. So are we writing it off a little hastily here? I think Kyoto, the Years and Giant are all really. Do you think Slave Play gets it over Shifters? Oh, we didn't say Oedipus in New Play and I don't think Oedipus is considered a play revival. It's an entirely new adaptation. I have taken away Shifters and Slave Play and I've replaced them with Oedipus because I don't know which one I would have taken off for Oedipus. But I also think ultimately it's probably only going to be four. And I think Oedipus, I think that has to be considered new. This is how we're going to get surprised on Olympia's nomination day, because there's so many things that we think make sense. Let's talk now about the musical revivals. It's been a big year for musical revivals.

[Aaron James]

I feel like this one is quite easy to discuss. And narrow down. But they rarely nominate many musicals. I mean, musical revivals has gone down to three quite often.

[Mickey Jo]

I think we could. I think this year we will see four. I can see four because there are three that are so strong critically and commercially. One of those was hello Dolly at the London Palladium. Another of those is Oliver, still running at the Gielgud Theatre, not eligible for its run at Chichester Festival Theatre, only at the Gielgud in the West End. And another is Starlight Express at the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley park, which, if you weren't sure, is Olivier Ward eligible.

[Aaron James]

On the other side, we have Fiddler on the Roof, which is at Regent's park and has announced that it's going to the Barbican and then it's going on a tour. And then we also have Kiss Me Kate, which was at the Barbican over the summer.

[Mickey Jo]

I really don't think we can expect to see five best musical revivals.

[Aaron James]

And what's interesting here, the transfer of Filler on the Roof is going to be with Trafalgar and Kiss Me Kate was produced by Trafalgar.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. And only one of those is going on to have a future life. So if I'm Trafalgar and I'm producing those shows, or if I have produced those shows, I care more about a good Olivier nominations quote on the poster of the one that's still going to go out on tour. So we think then Oliver, hello Dolly, Starlet Express and Fiddler on the Roof.

[Aaron James]

I think so. They all feel like. I feel like if that was announced, I'd say yes.

[Mickey Jo]

What are we anticipating, then, in play revivals?

[Aaron James]

I don't know how anything's kind of landed with this, because you have a two Oedipus, you have Elektra and, like, you're going down to this. Is this because it's Sophocles? Dancing at Lunasa was this season, was it not? It was, and that did do well, from what I remember. But it was a very, very, very early on in the season.

[Mickey Jo]

I'm not necessarily venturing Rebecca Frecknell's production of, oh, Catna Hottentin Roof, Catten Roof at the Almeida.

[Aaron James]

The Importance of Being Earnest will likely be there.

[Mickey Jo]

You think? The Importance of Being Earnest.

[Aaron James]

I think so.

[Mickey Jo]

I mean, this. Thus far, we only have two National Theatre plays. I'm trying to think about what else has been produced at the Lyric Hammersmith. I know they were some plays. God of Carnage was at the Lyric Hammersmith this year.

[Aaron James]

Oh, at the Old Vic, I don't know its eligibility, but the show that everybody was going to. This is the same thing with the Death of England trilogy and People, Places and Things where I don't know if they were too close to their original production.

[Mickey Jo]

If they call People, Places and Things a revival, I will lose my mind. But then they did for Jerusalem. They called Jerusalem a play revival for the same production at the same theater with two of the same principal cast members. It was a return. It was what I would call a re. Mounting, but not a revival.

[Aaron James]

But if that was eligible at all.

[Mickey Jo]

And Constellations was also called similarly, by Olivier's logic. I'm tempted to put People, Places and Things on here because we've seen nominations and a win for Constellations and for Jerusalem.

[Aaron James]

If People, Places and Things is eligible, it will be there.

[Mickey Jo]

And the other one that you just reminded me of on the route to. That was the real thing, I assume is the one that you were talking about at the old Fiction. No. What were you talking about?

[Aaron James]

Machado.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, yes. I think we're going to be wildly inaccurate in this category. I think this is the one I feel I have the most tenuous grasp on and I'm just willing to wait and find out that it's something from the Lyric Hammersmith that we didn't even think about. Let's carry on, then, to what we think might fall into the world of best entertainment or comedy play. The criteria for which I should say is we've decided we want to be called an entertainment or comedy play.

[Aaron James]

I like to sadly call this the we don't think we're going to win musical or play, but we know we will win if we're there, because I will forever say a monster calls deserve to win an Olivier. And I was very happy they went into Entertainment or comedy play, but it was a play.

[Mickey Jo]

I sort of feel similarly about Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's Amelia, which deserved the Olivier win. Is it a comedy? No. Does it have comedic moments? Yes.

[Aaron James]

Like many plays, I kind of sometimes wish it was very. I know it originated as a comedy for the comedies because it was hard for them to go against a drama.

[Mickey Jo]

But guess what? It still is when Stranger Things decides they want to go into that category because, I guess because they have the.

[Aaron James]

Spectacle in the entertainment world.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. Then it's still hard to be a legitimate comedy.

[Aaron James]

And I like the. I like originally the idea of the entertainment, that award being for genre shows that don't conform.

[Mickey Jo]

What do you think we're going to see in Best Entertainment or Comedy Play?

[Aaron James]

I think It's a given that Palladium Panto will be there because they don't miss.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. Robin Hood at the London Palladium. I think, as we have been discussing, Titanique will probably have entered themselves into.

[Aaron James]

That category because the elements are a bit different from a musical. Even though they are a musical and say they were musical, I think it feels a safer place for them. Spirited Away will probably go into this category because if Totoro could go there and won. Oh, Inside Number Nine.

[Mickey Jo]

You think Inside Number Nine because of.

[Aaron James]

Again, it's technically a play, but also because of its odes to the series. It opened in time. It's been open a little while.

[Mickey Jo]

Did it just about, like a month ago. I thought it was only fairly recent.

[Aaron James]

Inside Number Nine has been there, like, just after Christmas. I think I'm near certain extent, which.

[Mickey Jo]

I have just not been paying attention to in Inside Number Nine.

[Aaron James]

I'm near certain that Inside Number Nine will at least get a nomination. And this feels like the safest category with, like, Stranger Things. Etc.

[Mickey Jo]

Let's dive in then, to the world of performances with leading actresses in a musical because I think this is one of the easier categories to predict.

[Aaron James]

I will be stunned and actually ecstatic, thrilled, if we see it go to five, but because it's four, I find this a really tricky category in all of the musical categories.

[Mickey Jo]

I mean, I dare say there's been a year in the past that it has been five. 2016 was the last time we saw five nominees because we're so much more ambiguous here. I don't know whether that happened because of a voting tie. That's what can shift the category size at the Tony awards. Similarly, in 2010, although, what a year in 2010. My goodness. With Melanie C, Patina Miller, Hannah Waddingham, Charlotte Wakefield and Samantha Spiro. For Melanie C. Even to have been eligible as a replacement in Blood Brothers is a little bit of finagling, by which I mean a massive rewriting of the rules. But interestingly enough, Samantha's Burrow won for playing Dolly Levi in hello, Dolly that year. Who do we think is the biggest lock in leading actress in a musical?

[Aaron James]

Oh, Imelda Staunton.

[Mickey Jo]

Imelda Staunton as Dolly. She's probably gonna win. It's too early to have that conversation, but she is most certainly she will be nominated. A lock. Yeah. For a nomination for hello, Dolly. And while we're here, I'm just gonna say this now. I think sometimes a show is such a darling and has people that neatly enough fall into those categories that it's just going to get a quartet of nominations instantly. I think we're going to see four acting nominations for hello Dolly in all four of the acting categories. I'll remind you of those as we get to them. Who else do we think we're going to see in Best Leading Actress in a Musical?

[Aaron James]

I will say it's interesting that I always thought that Stephanie J. Block was a lock.

[Mickey Jo]

I think she's still going to get a nomination.

[Aaron James]

I think so. I think if we're not going to see it in Revival, I feel like Stephanie J. Block will get a nomination.

[Mickey Jo]

I think she's the surest nomination that Kiss Me Kate has.

[Aaron James]

Yes, I agree.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Claire Foster for Benjamin Button gets a nomination as well. But we're down to that fourth slot very quickly.

[Aaron James]

So part of me could see this going to a new upcoming talent in Their Eyes. So you could see Jamisa Dawnford May getting it for Greg Comet.

[Mickey Jo]

You could, but I don't think that's going to be the one. I think Georgina Castle gets it for Mean Girls.

[Aaron James]

It's been a big moment for Georgina and she is spectacular.

[Mickey Jo]

But it wouldn't surprise me if they wanted to give it to Vanessa Williams to court that exciting celebrity appearance.

[Aaron James]

Especially if Vanessa is in leading, which to all extents it seems like she is in leading.

[Mickey Jo]

I think. I don't think she should be. I think she should be supporting, but I think she will be in leading. Leading. Not that Vanessa Williams isn't great in Devil Wears Prada. It's just nowhere near the amount of material to contend with the other performances we're talking about here.

[Aaron James]

It's tricky, I think, because there's a lot of new talent, but it seems really difficult for new talent or like just not even just new but younger performers to break into getting these nominations.

[Mickey Jo]

So I would love to not feel quite so jaded about it and I'd love to be able to have a conversation about Georgie in Prada and about Lisa in why Am I so Single? And a lot of performance in a lot of other shows. But I think it's those, the heavyweights that we do tend to see acknowledged.

[Aaron James]

At the Oliviers, because this is my thing. I would love to see, and I've said it the whole year, I would love to see Bronte and to see Rebecca Hines in there because they both give amazing performances. But my concern is that because it's such an evenly weighted music pool that they will have accidentally cancelled each other out. My other outsider here is, could we see Lauren Drew go in for being Celine. And what makes me really sad is that how these categories are. We haven't been able to say Joe Foster's name.

[Mickey Jo]

I mean, it's an indictment still on the gendered categories at the NBA.

[Aaron James]

Exactly. Because if this was different, I would have already said Joe Foster's name. Because I was like, if there is one performer nomination that would come from Mad show, it would be Joe.

[Mickey Jo]

Correct. Going back to expectations, though, then we know it's going to be Imelda. I think Claire is.

[Aaron James]

I feel like Claire is a lot.

[Mickey Jo]

We think Stephanie. I think Georgina Castle is the fourth.

[Aaron James]

Okay.

[Mickey Jo]

Moving on to leading actors in a musical. Last year, a hugely busy year for leading actors in a musical. This year, not quite as much, but it's picked up a decent amount of pace towards the end of the season. Who are you going to say is a lock here?

[Aaron James]

I felt like John Daglish is a look.

[Mickey Jo]

I think so. I think so. They're both terrific in the show, but him being the titular character, that role.

[Aaron James]

Has been built for that. Like, even when it was off West End, it was a case of when that. When that show goes to the West End, that role is prestige.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Simon Lipkin appears in this category for Oliver.

[Aaron James]

I think Adam Danhauser might get one. I think if it was somebody from Fiddler of them would get one, it would be him. And Tevye is one of those iconic roles that you never see. Miss.

[Mickey Jo]

I agree, but I think Jon is a lock. I think Simon will go in there. I do think Hati Nyman gets a nomination for Helen because you think it's pretty cool. Tell Will. But I also. Jeevan Brech has been winning everything. Winning everything all season.

[Aaron James]

I mean, how can you deny a quadruple threat?

[Mickey Jo]

I think we're gonna see more Starlight Express performer representation than some people might be expecting in these nominations. So I do think Jeevan makes it on the list.

[Aaron James]

I agree with Jeevan.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Adam Danheiser more so than.

[Aaron James]

I think Adam Danheiser more than. Because I just always think if you nail Tevye and the fact that the show is returning means that people will be thinking more about that show again.

[Mickey Jo]

I'm sure there was another one on my mind. Declan Bennett not breaking in for Natasha Pierre. In that case, Adrienne Dunbar not breaking in for Kiss Me Kate. Oh, who else did we miss?

[Aaron James]

We didn't mention Miles Frost.

[Mickey Jo]

We didn't. I knew there was a fourth.

[Aaron James]

There was a Tony Award winner that we didn't mention.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, I knew there was a fourth one. I knew there was a fourth one.

[Aaron James]

Miles Frost will definitely get a nomination.

[Mickey Jo]

Okay. Yep. So that, I think, pushes out Adam Danhyte.

[Aaron James]

Yeah, I would agree. I would agree.

[Mickey Jo]

Okay. Well, there was no point us arguing over that fourth slot if we were both going to remember. I knew there was another one we were forgetting.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. Marl's Frost is a lot.

[Mickey Jo]

Let's sidestep. We'll come back to musicals, but let's sidestep to the world of plays and talk about leading actors and actresses in dramatic roles. Let's start with leading actors in a play. This, I think, is the acting category of 2025. There are such heavyweights here. And in this category, I've heard so many people say, oh, that performance has to win the Olivier. That one has to win the Olivier.

[Aaron James]

About a bunch of different people.

[Mickey Jo]

I think John Lithgow for sure gets a nomination for playing Roald Dahl in Giant. I think Adrien Brodie is the other one who was getting talked about a lot at exactly the same time for the fear of 13 at the Danmar Warehouse, which neither of us saw, but that was the conversation that was being had.

[Aaron James]

There's the lead role in Kyoto.

[Mickey Jo]

There is Stephen Kunkan. Potentially two more slots because they are normally five.

[Aaron James]

It's not that often it ever goes down to four.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah, they love to nominate four performers in a musical and five performers in a play for no reason.

[Aaron James]

But it's a thing.

[Mickey Jo]

Arbitrary decision. So what other plays?

[Aaron James]

He's been talking about Oedipus a lot.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, Mark strong for sure. 100%. Yeah. Mark Strong gets a nomination as well. And thus far, I mean, again, didn't see Adrien Brody, but of the three that I've seen, I could root for any of those to win. They are such strong performances. Slave Play is an interesting one because I think they did manage to discern leading and supporting performances on Broadway. But it feels quite vague. Everything. It feels very much like an ensemble cast.

[Aaron James]

Similarly to the years.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. Well, we'll get to it.

[Aaron James]

But yes, potentially nigh.

[Mickey Jo]

Our Michael Sheen, and that was more so shaped around him.

[Aaron James]

And the returns as well. When a show's returning, I'm always intrigued to think about it. Yeah, there will be. Honestly, with plays, there will be a play that we have both completely forgotten about. Oh, I'm sure it was right afterwards. And we'll be like, oh, I'm sure.

[Mickey Jo]

There was the Nationals, Coriolanus. And I mean, a handful. A handful of other.

[Aaron James]

I mean, We've not mentioned Hampstead once either.

[Mickey Jo]

No. Well, we've not been there this year. Let's talk about leading actresses in a play now. You've talked about the years a lot, which features a cast of five female performers.

[Aaron James]

So my thought here is either they found a way to separate them or I think all five will be eligible, but in featured.

[Mickey Jo]

This is what's maddening because you're basing that off of six, right?

[Aaron James]

Yes. I feel like it's tricky to say. I kind of get where that logic came, that it went into Featured because they each have segments and kind of similarly in the years, they are all present the whole way through, but each one has a specific segment of the play where they are mainly featured.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

And I could kind of go, oh, yeah, that's their main. That's their section where they're featured. And then they have technically like an ensemble track where they're not a lead anymore. Yes.

[Mickey Jo]

The thing that makes me annoyed is then talking about the Lehman Trilogy, where all three were jointly nominated in leading. If you were to compare anything to the years, it would probably be the Lehman Trilogy. Now. The Lehman trilogy is longer, I guess.

[Aaron James]

What was the six actresses from Our Ladies of Perpetual Succor? Were they featured as well?

[Mickey Jo]

I think they were probably featured, but I don't know, it all feels a little bit.

[Aaron James]

Well, then it's again, female shows compared to male shows, potentially.

[Mickey Jo]

That's what it feels like, honestly. Yeah. They would have been supporting as well. Oh, it's making me a little bit cross. I think if they were to be individuals, it would be individuals in featured. And I think if they were to be nominated as a group, it will be as a group in featured.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. Which would be interesting for M. Romler.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

To be against herself.

[Mickey Jo]

Listen, we'll get to it. I think Lesley Manville from Oedipus, my favourite play that I keep forgetting about this evening.

[Aaron James]

I just want some clarification.

[Mickey Jo]

Sure.

[Aaron James]

When Jerusalem was renominated, performances weren't.

[Mickey Jo]

Performances weren't. Mark Rylance was not nominated.

[Aaron James]

So I feel like we can just say right now, Denise Gough will not.

[Mickey Jo]

Be eligible again unless something mad happens. Correct.

[Aaron James]

Potentially. Francesca and Muda Rivers.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

Brie Larson. It's been interesting where it's been a very. It's not been completely negative reviews, actually.

[Mickey Jo]

And listen, Lily Allen got a nomination for 222 A Ghost Story.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. And then comparatively, Sigourney Weaver. I don't think we'll see that because the Tempest really was not.

[Mickey Jo]

And Sigourney bore more of that criticism than I think Brie Larson has for Elektra.

[Aaron James]

But the more I'm seeing reviews from Machina, the more I think it could be appearing quite a bit. It.

[Mickey Jo]

Let's add Rosie Sheehy for Mackinac. Then let's add Heather Akibong for Shifters. I think. I think Sharon's going to be in leading.

[Aaron James]

It's tricky.

[Mickey Jo]

Let's put Sharna Clarke into leading because. No. Well, they've just. If they. If they decided Sharon D. Clark could be considered leading for Death of a Salesman. Death of a Salesman for playing Willy Loman's wife, then I think Lady Bracknell is arguably also a featured role, but has more thrust. Has more dramatic thrust. So let's put Sharon into leading. Let's cut our losses.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

I think with leading actress in a play. And let's move away back to something we know a little bit more about because we've seen more of the shows, which is supporting actor and actress in a musical. I'm gonna keep saying. I think we're gonna see a lot of hello Dolly love.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

So if we go to supporting actress first, I think Jenna Russell.

[Aaron James]

This is an interesting one because I wonder if we'd see Great Comet Love in here. But there are so many different performers that could appear in this category.

[Mickey Jo]

If there was going to be one from Great Comet, really one nomination from the entire show. I think it could be. So that's Mimuna Menon for her performance as Sonia in Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

[Aaron James]

I would love to see Amy de Bartolomeo recognized for her work.

[Mickey Jo]

Listen, I'll riot in the streets if she isn't Amy to Bartolomeo for the Devil Wears Prada.

[Aaron James]

That is a revelation of a performance.

[Mickey Jo]

Just like that, we're down to the final slot. Benjamin Button. The entire company is brilliant. I don't think there are big enough emerging.

[Aaron James]

I kind of feel like if this cast were nominated, it would appear in the musical contribution for their performing skills.

[Mickey Jo]

Which I think we will. But again, we will get to it.

[Aaron James]

There's beautiful performances in Mean Girls.

[Mickey Jo]

I was gonna say, do we think.

[Aaron James]

I'm like a Grace?

[Mickey Jo]

Moa Grace and Mean Girls.

[Aaron James]

And in Ghazi. Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

Or Liv Andruzier for Fiddler on the Roof. There's a couple of brilliant performances in Kathy and Stella Solver.

[Aaron James]

Murder isn't out there. Could it be? I'll not for.

[Mickey Jo]

I was thinking about moment. I was thinking about.

[Aaron James]

Because if there's a. If there's a moment in a show that's been going crazy at the minute there's Greaseball.

[Mickey Jo]

Okay. So I think Alnot or Grace Moat.

[Aaron James]

There is this. This moment in me which is saying, could we see Georgina and Laura for Kiss Me Kate?

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah, I. I think the category is a little too busy. We haven't talked about Shanae.

[Aaron James]

Oh, yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

In Oliver, that messes everything up.

[Aaron James]

I think that might be the fourth.

[Mickey Jo]

Film Sinead absolutely gets.

[Aaron James]

Shanae will definitely get nomination.

[Mickey Jo]

So who doesn't? Jenna Russell, May Moona, Amy Di Bartolomeo or Grace? Okay. I am reluctantly taking Grace off of the list and saying Shanae Holmes for Oliver. I mean, we could see more Oliver Love even than that going to supporting actor. I think Harry Hepple and I think again, we'll see more trains than we realize. I think Jaden vine might break in here for Hydra. For Hydra and Starlight Express. But I also think I'm gonna completely hijack this one. I think Jamie Moscato could get an Olivier, his first Olivier nomination.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. I mean, I feel like if there's anybody. See when we were talking about if there was anybody from that production, I felt like Jamie Moscato is V. Lock for that show. I feel like this has felt like a moment in his career where you can celebrate everything he's done until now, but also just this transformation that he has and showing of a role that he's never done before. And my other one, going back to the world of Mean Girls is Tom Zander.

[Mickey Jo]

Yes.

[Aaron James]

I would love to see in supporting actor a surprise nomination for Oscar Conomori.

[Mickey Jo]

I'd be delighted.

[Aaron James]

That would be wonderful for Mr. Bumble.

[Mickey Jo]

But already we've made that category very difficult.

[Aaron James]

Yeah, it's already very difficult.

[Mickey Jo]

Back to supporting actresses in a play, then beginning with the entire company from the years.

[Aaron James]

Yes.

[Mickey Jo]

I think they get a joint nomination. I think that's what happens here. I think Romola Garai, who is included among that company, also gets a nomination for her performance in Giant, which I believe to be supporting and not leading. But don't quote me on that.

[Aaron James]

She's been nominated in supporting before at the Watson Sage Award. She was supporting.

[Mickey Jo]

That just means that they agree. It doesn't necessarily mean we've seen Discord before.

[Aaron James]

Oh, yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

Between the nominating bodies, we've seen differences of opinion on either side of the Atlantic. Sharon D. Clark won for leading in the UK and didn't even get nominated for what was decided to be featured on Broadway.

[Aaron James]

So I think Jenna Organ is likely for Kyoto.

[Mickey Jo]

I agree.

[Aaron James]

I think that ending of the Play just seals the deal. The fact that she has to have the heart of that whole show on her. I mean, there are fabulous moments from multiple cast members who could be featured for this show, but her especially, I can see being nominated for how she lands that ending so perfectly.

[Mickey Jo]

If Ellie Mae Sheridan is considered featured, I think.

[Aaron James]

And then I could see her being the.

[Mickey Jo]

I think she gets a nomination here. Are we still expecting five?

[Aaron James]

I think so.

[Mickey Jo]

Who is our fifth slot for a support? You've got Susan Wakoma in the Real Thing.

[Aaron James]

No, she was wonderful.

[Mickey Jo]

Wonderful. You've got. And that role has won awards before. Freema Adjeman for Romeo and Juliet.

[Aaron James]

Yes. Who was. Who was the revelation for me in that production? My favorite.

[Mickey Jo]

I've put it down. I've put it down.

[Aaron James]

But I do want to just drop something in here.

[Mickey Jo]

Okay.

[Aaron James]

We have multiple Tony award nominees for Slave Play. For Slave Play.

[Mickey Jo]

Yes.

[Aaron James]

And they all were incredible. It's difficult because of not really knowing how strongly that play landed in memory.

[Mickey Jo]

And it was in the summer.

[Aaron James]

Sometimes this is the issue with shows is that you end up making these decisions based on. Are they still remembered at this point in the year?

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. I think there's a lot of room for us to be surprised. I agree with some of these choices. Supporting actor in a play, then I'm thinking about Elliot Levy, also in Giant. I'm thinking about. Actually, I don't know who else I'm thinking about.

[Aaron James]

I want to say Jorge Bosch from Kyoto, who plays Raul.

[Mickey Jo]

Oh, yes.

[Aaron James]

Yes, Sure. I think that role should definitely be considered for supporting.

[Mickey Jo]

I would love to say Patrick Vale gets one for Elektra, but Patrick Vale didn't get one for Oklahoma, which I thought was a more obvious nom. If anything. Do you think Fisio gets.

[Aaron James]

I think if anyone in the supporting cast, Fisio would.

[Mickey Jo]

I've been enslaved by it.

[Aaron James]

Fisio's been incredible on stage for so many shows.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

But I would. I would be very happy. And I. I thought the emotional range that he showed in Slave Play was tremendous.

[Mickey Jo]

If there's one category that always surprises me of performances, I just was not aware of it is supporting actor in a play.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

Every single time. I'll be like, oh, fine. I had no idea.

[Aaron James]

It's like, could we see somebody from, like, the hot wing king of National.

[Mickey Jo]

Could we see. I'm trying to think about the performances in Count Hot Tin Roof at the Almeida. I'm trying to think through everything that we've seen, and again, I think we may just have to cut our losses. Here.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

And accept a certain amount of ignorance when it comes to supporting men in plays this year. Which leaves us with six or seven different creative categories. Let's start with the always sticky best musical contribution, which has adapted and evolved and over the last few years has come to be about specifically people working on the music side of productions who aren't the composers or lyricists. Yeah. Arrangers, orchestrations, bands, musical supervisor, musical director. It hasn't recognized the players. The band since come from away.

[Aaron James]

Interesting.

[Mickey Jo]

But there hasn't really been another show quite like that.

[Aaron James]

I think the closest was probably Amelie, if Sean was going to be nominated, I think.

[Mickey Jo]

But Benjamin Button feels even more so.

[Aaron James]

Benjamin Burton feels like it would make sense for that. For them to acknowledge as well a cast that can't really go into supporting because they all.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. And that would be nice because Darren Clarke would also still be acknowledged.

[Aaron James]

I could see orchestrations for Starlight Express. I feel like it's a given because they do love to acknowledge orchestrations in this category and I think that show specifically did a wonderful job.

[Mickey Jo]

I do wonder if we will see a nod to why am I so single here? But then with it being up against the revivals and there being so much weight in revival, I mean, it's interesting.

[Aaron James]

Will they acknowledge hello Dolly here? Because we had songs being brought into the show that had a meme.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. Yep. There's also Oliver as a question mark. I think Dolly gets one. I think the Dolly music team get one.

[Aaron James]

Have there been any plays with specific.

[Mickey Jo]

I don't know about how much music there is in ballet shoes.

[Aaron James]

True.

[Mickey Jo]

And we haven't talked about Natasha Pierre and the great Comet of 1812. We haven't talked about MJ. I think MJ could get one.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. It's annoying because you don't have a composition award.

[Mickey Jo]

Correct.

[Aaron James]

But you're kind of thinking, well, what orchestrations will this be a nod to? The music. Just music as a whole entity.

[Mickey Jo]

Let me look at what the new musical versus revival split was. It was half and half last year with Sunset and Guys and Dolls against Just For One Day and Operation Mincemeat.

[Aaron James]

Also, Linden Tide could appear in this.

[Mickey Jo]

It could.

[Aaron James]

As a play representation.

[Mickey Jo]

It could. As we go further back, I'm seeing fewer and fewer revivals. So I don't think this will necessarily be revival dominated. I think hello Dolly and Starlight are the two more likely. Benjamin Button for new musicals. And it wouldn't surprise me to see a play in there. To what extent was their music in Spirited Away? There was.

[Aaron James]

Yeah. There was similarly to. In Totoro.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. I think maybe we see Spirited Away. I'm gonna. I'm gonna say.

[Aaron James]

Or. Oh, I'm gonna float. Throw it.

[Mickey Jo]

Throw it at me.

[Aaron James]

Could we see Titanique appear here?

[Mickey Jo]

I don't think so. I think it's lower in the cue because I think MJ is also higher. Let's jump now to choreography, where I think MJ definitely choreography.

[Aaron James]

Yes.

[Mickey Jo]

Wheel. Then right for MJ's choreography. Which other eye I would love. I would love to see why am I so Single? Ellen Kane's choreography.

[Aaron James]

I could see Ellen Kane appear here.

[Mickey Jo]

Nominated.

[Aaron James]

I think hello, Dolly will appear here.

[Mickey Jo]

Dolly will. And I think.

[Aaron James]

Oh, I'm split here because I could see Oliver come in for Matthew Bourne.

[Mickey Jo]

I was gonna say Oliver.

[Aaron James]

But then also will we see Starletta Express appear for choreography on Wheels? Will this be a way to. For them to nominate the skate team at.

[Mickey Jo]

But I think if that happens, it pushes out why am I so single?

[Aaron James]

Oh, that is very tricky, isn't it? And I always feel like with Starlights to Express that that skating element kind of leans. The first thing you think of before direction would be choreography.

[Mickey Jo]

The big three revivals and MJ in choreography is what I. It's what I have now. Let's talk about director while we're here. I think. Think the plays are playing this year.

[Aaron James]

I feel like the plays are gonna. Because these categories aren't split between plays at musicals. I feel like plays are going to dominate here.

[Mickey Jo]

Yes. And so I think Robert Ike gets one for Oedipus. Oh, I think Nicholas Heitner gets one for Giant.

[Aaron James]

Oh, it's Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin.

[Mickey Jo]

Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin. Thank you for Kyoto. Aline Arbo has to get one for the years.

[Aaron James]

I would be annoyed. Ish.

[Mickey Jo]

I would be annoyed. And we had an all male directing category last year that I would really rather we didn't again.

[Aaron James]

Yes. My. If. If any musical was going to get in, it would be Dolly. I felt like.

[Mickey Jo]

I disagree. I think it would be Oliver.

[Aaron James]

See, I hope it would be Oliver for Matthew Bourne.

[Mickey Jo]

I think. I think it would be Oliver. And that already brings us to five.

[Aaron James]

Oliver would be my preference to be a mare active.

[Mickey Jo]

I think that's the one that breaks in to a category otherwise full of play directors.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

Which is a shame for the likes of Benjamin Burton.

[Aaron James]

Yeah.

[Mickey Jo]

But we need two categories. Let's power through these last few creative categories then. For set design, Spirited Away for sure will be nominated for its set design.

[Aaron James]

Starlight Express will be Starlight.

[Mickey Jo]

Absolutely. I think Oliver as well. And then are there any of the plays that get into this on a little bit of play favouritism? There, I said it. You can't stop me. Kyoto. Kyoto probably has the strongest set design.

[Aaron James]

I do love the ending, the. Of the years with the mobile.

[Mickey Jo]

Yes, so do I. Is the years something we might see in lighting design?

[Aaron James]

I could see, but there was a.

[Mickey Jo]

Production I talked about with regards to lighting very recently, but Starlight Express also.

[Aaron James]

Starlight Express. I feel like Starlight Express will appear in all of these categories, as in sound, in costume. As do I also feel like Oliver will, especially as Paulie Constable.

[Mickey Jo]

Oliver was the one I was talking about for lighting. It's hard to weigh Spirited Away against a lot of other things because it was so rich in its creativity and its requirements. Honestly, as well, pitted against something like Kyoto or Giant, it's doing a very different job.

[Aaron James]

I would bring up, though, mj, you.

[Mickey Jo]

Think MJ for lighting?

[Aaron James]

Yes, because I feel like the set for MJ is slightly simplistic in terms of, like, how it's framed with it being the rehearsal room, but the lighting design is what. What elevates that show.

[Mickey Jo]

I think MJ also perhaps gets a sound design nomination.

[Aaron James]

I'm trying to think of any that did anything interesting with sound because plays. Often there's plays that do unique sound designs.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. Like Macbeth last year with the headsets. Sunset Boulevard. Adam Fisher won last year. Gareth Fry was nominated for Macbeth. Stranger Things in Dear England.

[Aaron James]

Oh, maybe inside number nine could appear here, you think?

[Mickey Jo]

Inside number nine. I mean, there is consistently a strong play presence in sound design.

[Aaron James]

I mean, the ears also feature quite a lot of sound design because they do their musical performances throughout.

[Mickey Jo]

Also, let's put in inside number nine.

[Aaron James]

Kyoto, potentially in the Spirited Away as well. Spirited Away is this one that I just. I don't know how much it will appear.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Spirited Away doesn't appear in lighting or sound is what I currently have down here. But I don't. I don't know. As we've gone on, I have been less and less confident.

[Aaron James]

Plays I don't feel confident in.

[Mickey Jo]

I started this thinking this was a great idea for us to predict the nominations. And now I think it's been a.

[Aaron James]

Terrible one because also Elektra had a really fun. Elektra had a really interesting sound design also.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. I don't know if Starlight Express gets costume interesting.

[Aaron James]

I think that Oliver will.

[Mickey Jo]

I think Oliver will. And I think hello Dolly will as well.

[Aaron James]

Yes. No, I'm going to disagree with you, actually, I do disagree with you.

[Mickey Jo]

You think Starlight will. We can put it in there. I'm going on record and saying, I don't know.

[Aaron James]

The only thing I think it might lose to would be Prada.

[Mickey Jo]

You think Devil Wears Prada gets a costume design?

[Aaron James]

I think if there was a category in creative that it would appear in, it would be costume design.

[Mickey Jo]

We haven't said Spirited Away. Oh, it's hard. I think Starlight doesn't. I think Spirited Away does. I think those are the costume nominees. And even then, I'm probably forgetting something egregious.

[Aaron James]

Well, I would love to, actually. Just as we're talking about these creative categories, I would love for fangirls to appear it somewhere because of her video design.

[Mickey Jo]

You and me both. Well, we have technically filled out nominations in all the categories that we planned to.

[Aaron James]

I'm not confident. Confident at all.

[Mickey Jo]

Not even a lie.

[Aaron James]

I do not feel confident in this one. And it's interesting because we saw more plays this year, this season than we have done before.

[Mickey Jo]

So looking at our final predictions, then, we have the revival of Oliver as well as the revival of Starlight Express, both leading with eight nominations. Right behind that, another revival. Hello, Dolly with seven. Kyoto the Play also with seven, still doing well. MJ the Musical with five, same as Giant. And then we have a bunch of shows. Spirited Away, the Years, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button with four. We're also predicting recognition for Oedipus and for Fiddler on the Roof, Mean Girls, Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. The Devil Wears Prada with two or three nominations each, but a whole host of shows not getting remembered, not getting nominated. Interesting.

[Aaron James]

I feel like we're right. We're thinking that Starlight Express and Oliver are probably going to be the ones leading the pack.

[Mickey Jo]

I'm just. I'm readying myself to be surprised because there's things I've stuck my neck out about that even now I'm just doubting more and more since I said them.

[Aaron James]

I always feel like with the Oliviers, you just don't know the makeup of that nominating board.

[Mickey Jo]

And I'm ready for there to be at least one huge surprise. Like someone we expected to be in a completely different category or a show we did. Imagine two strangers suddenly pops up.

[Aaron James]

This is the thing. Suddenly was eligible. It could appear everywhere.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

That's the show that, like, I would love it to be eligible.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

Or you could see something where Titanique went for musical and they didn't Go for entertainment.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah.

[Aaron James]

Because then I would think it would appear.

[Mickey Jo]

Yeah. For now, though, those have been our predictions for the nominations for the 2025 Olivier Awards. Make sure to check back in with us. As the awards are being. As the nominations, I should say, are being announced, we will be reacting right here live on YouTube and we can only assume there is going to be significant surprise. At this point. We have shared our thoughts on who's going to be nominated. We would love to hear all of yours as well. So in the comments section down below, you don't have to do it for every single category, but those you feel particularly, particularly strongly about or point out any omissions that you think that we made and let us know what your thoughts are. The nominations that you think we will be seeing very, very soon for the Olivier Awards, we believe we're expecting those nominations in early March.

[Aaron James]

They should be on the 4th of March.

[Mickey Jo]

On the 4th of March, so make sure we will know the date before then. And I will put up a live stream in advance so you can make sure that you are joining us live for the nomination announcement. And then thereafter, we'll be talking about out who we think is going to win of those, and then leading up with coverage towards the ceremony of itself, which we're excited to be attending again this year. Got our tickets? Can't wait. In the meantime, we have to find out who's nominated first, so we'll be eagerly awaiting and I hope that you are as well. Thank you for joining us for our very stressful predictions.

[Aaron James]

They're never easy.

[Mickey Jo]

Nope, they are never easy. We will both see you soon and we hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have have a stagey day for 10 more seconds. I'm Mickey Jo Theatre. Oh, my God. Hey, thanks for watching. Have a Stagey Day. Subscribe.