Podcast Summary: Predicting the Olivier Award Nominations 2024

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre
• Description: Join Mickey-Jo from MickeyJoTheatre as he reviews the latest shows from the West End, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-West End, Edinburgh Fringe, and across the globe.

Episode Overview

In the March 10, 2024 episode of MickeyJoTheatre, host Micky Jo and his fiancé Erin James delve into an exciting yet nerve-wracking discussion about their predictions for the Olivier Award Nominations 2024. With an abundance of high-quality eligible productions, they anticipate a highly competitive nomination process, often referring to it as "a bloodbath for someone."

Introduction and Setting the Stage

The episode kicks off with Micky Jo and Erin James setting the tone by expressing both their excitement and anxiety about the forthcoming Olivier Awards. They highlight the significance of these awards in shaping careers and the commercial success of theatre productions.

• Micky Jo [00:00]: "The thing is with this particular year, there were so many eligible shows and really good eligible shows that whatever happens, it's gonna be a bloodbath for someone."

They also mention the Olivier Awards will be announced live on TikTok on Tuesday, March 13th, hosted by last year's winner, Beverly Knight.

Best New Play

Both hosts list their top contenders for the Best New Play category, emphasizing the limited nomination slots and the challenge of selecting just four out of several deserving candidates.

• Erin James [01:01]: "I've been counting down the day for this to happen and talking about it for a while, but now we're getting close to it..."

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Dear England – Micky Jo has high confidence in this production.
2. A Little Life – Another strong contender at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
3. The Motive and the Cue
4. Stranger Things – The first show from the production, adding diversity to the nominations.

Erin James's Additional Picks:

• Till the Stars Come Down
• Infinite Life – Noted for critical acclaim despite lacking commercial producers.

They discuss the complexity of the category, including shared categories where plays and musicals compete against each other, further tightening the nomination pool.

Best Revival

The conversation shifts to Best Revival, where both predict a mix of classic and contemporary revivals.

Erin James's Predictions:

1. Vanya
2. The Picture of Dorian Gray
3. Shirley Valentine
4. An Enemy of the People
5. The Scottish Play (Macbeth) – Acknowledging its classic status despite mixed opinions.

Micky Jo's Thoughts:

• Questions the eligibility of certain productions based solely on being book adaptations.
• Considers the impact of innovative elements like video design in revivals.

They reflect on the difficulty of categorizing plays versus musicals, especially when creative elements blur the lines.

Best New Musical

This category is particularly crowded, with numerous high-profile productions vying for limited slots.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Hadestown
2. The Little Big Things
3. Operation Mincemeat
4. Next to Normal
5. A Strange Loop – Seen as a potential surprise nominee.

Erin James's Additional Considerations:

• Just for One Day
• Doubtfire – Potential for Jamie Parker's nomination.
• Cold War – Noted for its strong chances in multiple categories.

They discuss the challenges of predicting nominations due to the sheer volume of quality musicals and potential for "rogue" nominations outside the main contenders.

Best Director

Both hosts express frustration over the Best Director category, highlighting the difficulty in narrowing down nominees amidst a plethora of talented directors.

Erin James's Shortlist:

1. Rupert Gould for Dear England
2. Sam Mendes for The Motive and the Cue
3. Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard
4. Ivo Van Ho for A Little Life
5. Nick Heitner for Guys and Dolls
6. Stephen Daldrey for Stranger Things

Micky Jo's Concerns:

• Faces a dilemma choosing between heavyweight directors.
• Questions the inclusion of certain nominees based on public perception and recent works.

They ponder the potential impact of high-profile directors possibly overshadowing others deserving recognition.

Choreography

The duo highlights the integral role of choreography in modern theatre, especially in musicals.

Micky Jo's Selections:

1. Arlene Phillips – Choreographer for Guys and Dolls, despite receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
2. Fabian El for Sunset Boulevard
3. David Neumann for Hadestown

Erin James's Inputs:

• Stephen Meir for Le Cage aux Follies
• Susan Stroman – Uncertain about eligibility.

They debate the influence of choreographers who continue to innovate beyond lifetime achievements, praising their ongoing contributions to theatre.

Set Design

Set design remains a focal point, with both hosts acknowledging the importance of innovative set pieces in enhancing theatrical productions.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Es Devlin for Dear England
2. Rachel Hawke for Hadestown
3. Ben Stones for Operation Mincemeat

Erin James's Selections:

1. Sutri Gilmorphus for Sunset Boulevard
2. Set Boulevard – Potentially a unique category placement.
3. Rob Howell for The Hills of California

They explore the complexities of set design nominations, especially for shows heavily reliant on video design and technical elements.

Costume Design

Costume design receives attention for its crucial role in character portrayal and storytelling.

Micky Jo's Choices:

1. Bunny Christie – Co-designer for Guys and Dolls
2. Michael Krass for Hadestown
3. Evie Gurney for Dear England

Erin James's Picks:

1. Ryan Dawson for La Cage aux Follies
2. William Ivy Long for Crazy for You
3. Sophie Okonedo for Soho Place

They discuss the impact of costume designers who bring unique flair and authenticity to productions, highlighting the balance between aesthetic appeal and practical design.

Lighting Design

Lighting design is recognized for its ability to set the mood and enhance the visual storytelling of a production.

Micky Jo's Nominations:

1. Jack Knowles for Sunset Boulevard
2. Jan Ver Swayveld for A Little Life
3. John Clark – Nominated for both Dear England and Stranger Things
4. Paul Constable for Guys and Dolls
5. Bradley King for Hadestown

Erin James's Top Pick:

• Jack Knowles – Considered a definite lock.

They acknowledge the technical challenges of lighting design, especially in musicals where dynamic lighting is essential for transitioning between scenes and moods.

Sound Design

Sound design is lauded for its role in creating immersive auditory experiences that complement the visual elements on stage.

Erin James's Nominations:

1. Paul Arditi for Stranger Things
2. Dan Balfour for Dear England
3. Adam Fisher for Sunset Boulevard
4. Gareth Fry for The Scottish Play

Micky Jo's Thoughts:

• Emphasizes the complexity of sound design in musicals due to balancing music levels and integrating technical elements seamlessly.

They appreciate the subtlety and innovation sound designers bring to productions, enhancing the overall audience experience.

Best Entertainment/Comedy Play

This category sees a mix of traditional and unconventional plays vying for recognition.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Peter Pan at the Palladium
2. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends – Considered a lock.
3. The Witches – Pushed into this category due to its cleverness.

Erin James's Selections:

1. Peter Pan
2. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
3. The Witches
4. Schoolgirls – Recognized for its strong performances and commercial success.

They discuss the potential for innovative plays like The Witches to secure nominations by standing out in the comedy and entertainment landscape.

Best Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre

Highlighting productions outside the mainstream theatres, this category showcases the diversity of theatre across different venues.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York – Seen as a flagbearer for musicals in affiliate theatres.
2. Amy Trigg for The Little Big Things
3. Eleanor Worthington Cox for Next to Normal
4. Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard

Erin James's Selections:

1. Feeling Afraid
2. Strategic Love Play at Soho
3. Sleepover at Bush
4. Tambo and Bones at Stratford East

They emphasize the importance of recognizing groundbreaking works from affiliate theatres, which often bring fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling to the stage.

Supporting Actor in a Musical

Focusing on the nuanced performances that support the leads in musical productions.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Tom Edden for Crazy for You
2. Charlie Stamp
3. Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop
4. Gabriel Vick for Doubtfire
5. Jamie Parker – Potential surprise nominee.

Erin James's Selections:

1. David Faxton
2. Jack Wolfe
3. Jack Malone
4. Tom Edden for Crazy for You

They discuss the critical role of supporting actors in elevating the overall quality of a musical, highlighting standout performances that add depth and dynamism to productions.

Featured Actor/Actress in a Play

Recognizing exceptional performances that support the leads in dramatic productions.

Micky Jo's Nominations:

1. Tuppence Middleton for The Motive and the Cue
2. Gina McKee for Dear England
3. Kirsten Nilsson for Infinite Life
4. Ophelia Loverbond for The Hills of California
5. Leanne Best

Erin James's Selections:

1. Kirsten Nilsson for Infinite Life
2. Gloria Neitri for Hadestown
3. Eleanor Worthington Cox for Next to Normal
4. Leanne Best
5. Will Close – Considered a standout nominee.

Both hosts agree on the strength of certain performances, particularly highlighting Tuppence Middleton and Will Close as must-watch for their exceptional contributions to their respective plays.

Best Actor in a Play

This category is anticipated to be one of the most competitive, featuring a roster of distinguished performers.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Joseph Fiennes for Dear England
2. Johnny Flynn for The Motive and the Cue
3. Mark Gatiss for The Motive and the Cue
4. James Norton
5. Andrew Scott for Vanya

Erin James's Selections:

1. Daniel Rigby for Accidental Death of an Anarchist – Deserving but not listed.
2. Matt Smith – Not included due to lack of recent acclaim.
3. David Tennant – Also not included.

They express disappointment over potentially deserving actors missing out, highlighting the intense competition and the high caliber of performances this year.

Best Actress in a Play

Focusing on leading female performances in dramatic productions.

Erin James's Predictions:

1. Sheridan Smith
2. Sarah Snook
3. Laura Donnelly
4. Harriet Walter
5. Sophie Okonedo for Soho Place

Micky Jo's Selections:

1. Maureen Lipman for Rose at the Ambassadors
2. Tracey Ann Oberman for The Merchant of Venice

They discuss the challenges in predicting nominees, acknowledging the limited slots and the impressive pool of talented actresses competing for recognition.

Best Actor in a Musical

Recognizing leading male performances in musical productions.

Micky Jo's Predictions:

1. Tom Francis
2. Charlie Stamp for Crazy for You
3. Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop
4. Gabriel Vick for Doubtfire
5. Jamie Parker – Potential wildcard nominee.

Erin James's Selections:

1. Nicole Scherzinger
2. Casey Levy
3. Marisha Wallace
4. Natasha Hodgson
5. Jenna Russell – Wildcard consideration.

They emphasize the competitiveness and the diverse range of performances in this category, from powerhouse vocalists to nuanced character portrayals.

Conclusion and Live Reaction Plans

As the discussion wraps up, Micky Jo and Erin James express their eagerness to witness the outcome of the nominations. They plan to host a live reaction session on their YouTube channel on Tuesday, March 13th, midday UK time, where they will celebrate the wins, commiserate over snubs, and revisit their prediction lists to see how accurate they were.

• Micky Jo [36:55]: "Please join us again on Tuesday live midday UK time on Tuesday here on YouTube."

They encourage listeners to engage by sharing their own predictions in the comments, fostering a community of theatre enthusiasts excited about the Olivier Awards.

Key Takeaways

• High Competition: This year's Olivier Awards feature a wealth of quality productions, making the nomination process exceptionally competitive.
• Diversity in Categories: From traditional plays and musicals to innovative productions in affiliate theatres, the awards accommodate a broad spectrum of theatrical excellence.
• Importance of Awards: The hosts emphasize the critical role of awards in sustaining non-commercial and innovative theatre productions amidst a commercially driven landscape.
• Live Engagement: Micky Jo and Erin James aim to engage their audience actively by hosting live reactions and encouraging community interaction around the Olivier Awards.

Notable Quotes:

• Micky Jo [00:00]: "It's gonna be a bloodbath for someone."
• Erin James [01:01]: "I'm now dreading it because there's so many people that are going to..."
• Micky Jo [02:32]: "Getting a big award win is one of the only things that allows shows that aren't from one of those backgrounds... to sustain a longer run."
• Erin James [26:10]: "Amy Trigg is probably the strongest lock for me."
• Micky Jo [32:30]: "I feel like the Olivier Awards, they love plays."

Stay tuned to MickeyJoTheatre for the live reaction to the Olivier Award Nominations 2024 and more in-depth theatre discussions!