Predicting the Olivier Award Nominations 2024

Summary

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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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

Transcript

[Micky Jo]

The thing is with this particular year is there were so many eligible shows and really good eligible shows that whatever happens, it's gonna be a bloodbath for someone. Oh, my God. Hey. Welcome back to my theatre themed YouTube channel. My name is Micky Jo. I'm joined today by my stagey fiance.

[Erin James]

Hello. It's me, Erin James.

[Micky Jo]

It's Erin James, everybody. And we are here together today. We are to discuss. Are you okay? What did you do?

[Erin James]

I just managed to like, eat myself in my nail.

[Micky Jo]

Oh, sad. You've still got some glitter on you from the Sister egg launch, by the way. We are here today to discuss the upcoming Olivier Awards. 2024 nominations.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

Which are going to be announced midday UK time over on TikTok on Tuesday the 13th.

[Erin James]

Yes. And they will be hosted. I think so. And they'll be hosted by 12. 12.

[Micky Jo]

It's the 12th, everybody.

[Erin James]

But they will be hosted by Olivier Award winner.

[Micky Jo]

Winner.

[Erin James]

Beverly Knight.

[Micky Jo]

Winner. Yes. We saw her win last year. And, you know, we're excited about the awards nominations coming out. We are also incredibly nervous.

[Erin James]

Like, 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 and we actually put together like a predictions list. I'm now dreading it because there's so many people that are going to, like, there are going to be a large amount of people that should be getting nominations.

[Micky Jo]

There's some people that will miss out on nominations because there simply isn't enough space. Because we have so many categories that limit the nominations to four rather than six. We have so many shared categories where it's like plays and musicals, creatives get lumped into the same category.

[Erin James]

It's not even sad like, oh, there's like a couple of people that will be left out. Like, it's not like the Tonys where there are that up to six, that great thing. It's. It's like a hefty number of people.

[Micky Jo]

And we love awards shows. And if anyone is thinking this is just an awards show, then they matter. Not only do they change the career trajectories of the cast and creatives who get nominated and win these awards, but also they're a really useful element of marketing that change the success of a show. They're one of the few things especially, and I say this in every video, I feel like at the moment, in the very challenging current theatrical landscape where everything is very commercially driven and you better be based on a popular film and you better have a big star Name if you want to be able to sell any tickets. Getting a big award win, a legitimate award win, is one of the only things that allows shows that aren't from one of those backgrounds like a Kimberly Akimbo over on Broadway to sustain a longer run. It breathes new life into a production by signaling to theatre goers this is of quality.

[Erin James]

Or a commercial run, like Standing at the Sky's Edge last year. Winning would not have got a commercial run without.

[Micky Jo]

Which has just opened in the West End at the gn. You're so right. Today we are going to be predicting which shows, which creatives, which performers are going to get nominated for Olivier Awards on Tuesday. And just trying to commit this to a list and realizing how restrictive it.

[Erin James]

Is, it's made me feel really sad.

[Micky Jo]

It's sad and anxious. Yeah, but we're gonna go through. And then what? You know, we're going to be live reacting. That's the other thing I should say. We will be live when the results come out here on my channel on Tuesday, midday UK time. That's gonna be like 7am for the tiny American people in my camera. Australians. You know, I have no idea what time it is for you, but join us when you can. And we're gonna be live reacting. Some point subsequently to that. We may have the chance to then review our predictions and see who was closer. But at the time, our minds are just gonna be too blown by all of the nominations coming out.

[Erin James]

Have like a blanket and just hide under it once these come out.

[Micky Jo]

Oh, it's gonna be stressful. It's gonna be so stressful. Best new play.

[Erin James]

I found that quite easy.

[Micky Jo]

Okay, talk me through in alphabetical order, if you don't mind. You're not minute. Because that's how they're gonna come up on the day.

[Erin James]

Are we including the little pre face words like the A and the. The. Are we included?

[Micky Jo]

A's and the's don't count. I was a librarian for years. A's and the's do not count. No, I'm not bending this.

[Erin James]

I think an A would.

[Micky Jo]

No, I refuse.

[Erin James]

That would look so confusing, though, when it's on the screen.

[Micky Jo]

Do you want me to go first?

[Erin James]

Go first.

[Micky Jo]

Okay. I have got Dear England.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

You agree? I have got the Hills of California.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

At the Harold Pinter Theatre. I have got a Little Life.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

Also at the Harold Pinter Theatre. That's where it was first. And I have got the motive and the cue.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

I've only put four, but I should put five. Shouldn't I? So I'll then put in Stranger Things, the first show.

[Erin James]

So that was my five.

[Micky Jo]

Are we exactly matching?

[Erin James]

That is exactly my five. There are two shows that I think have a chance at being a surprise one.

[Micky Jo]

Go on. What are your surprise shows?

[Erin James]

Well, they're both were at the national of the Dorfman.

[Micky Jo]

Ah, so Till the Stars Come down and Infinite Life. Yeah, very true.

[Erin James]

Both extremely well liked by critics and by industry people. But they don't have the commercial producers. Unless we already. We've already named two National Theatre shows.

[Micky Jo]

So that many national theaters stunkingly good year for the National Theatre. I will say, my goodness, that we're talking about so many of their shows in contention.

[Erin James]

And that's the only reason I didn't put either of them in there, because I was like, I. Over two National Theatre plays in Best new Play would be a surprise if.

[Micky Jo]

You had to pick two that are the firmest locks. What are your firmest locks in that category?

[Erin James]

Dear England and the Hills of California.

[Micky Jo]

Mine is not Hills of California. Mine is Dear England and A Little Life.

[Erin James]

The next category is Best Revival. So I put Vanya, the Picture of Dorian Gray.

[Micky Jo]

Okay.

[Erin James]

Shirley Valentine, An Enemy of the People and the Scottish play.

[Micky Jo]

You mean Macbeth?

[Erin James]

That one.

[Micky Jo]

We're not in a theater. This is fine. I only put four.

[Erin James]

Okay.

[Micky Jo]

So I said all of those except for the Picture of Dorian Gray to begin with.

[Erin James]

I was like, I'm not even sure which category that goes in.

[Micky Jo]

Well, it's because it's just the book on stage. Like it's an adaptation of the book. But because it's basically just the book on stage, some sort of classics rule has to apply there. It can't be considered.

[Erin James]

Well, this is. I think the Picture of Dorian Gray has been on stage before.

[Micky Jo]

I've only put four. I think we'll probably only get four. Do we usually get five in revival? This is something we could have fact checked earlier, isn't it?

[Erin James]

4.

[Micky Jo]

4. I think if there's any that won't make it in, it might be Dorian Gray. I don't know. Because it's just this one element, which is the video design, which is the cleverness of it. Does that an entire production make. I don't know. I don't know. I'm leading myself down a garden path here with this one because it was a really remarkably well put together.

[Erin James]

The majority of them have been quite recent as well. Or they have empty lives recently. It's only really Shirley Valentine, which was quite early on in the season.

[Micky Jo]

Shirley Valentine was a long time ago, and it essentially is tantamount to a performance. So whether that just gets recognized just with a performer nomination, I don't know. Also worth saying we're more well versed of the musicals this year than we are of the play, as there's some of these play productions, there are some.

[Erin James]

Revivals we did not see and some.

[Micky Jo]

New plays we did not see.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

Shall we talk about best new Musical? Okay. I have Hadestown.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

And we've been debating this several which ways to Friday. We still don't really know its eligibility, but I think we were assuming Harvey.

[Erin James]

Started our whole con campaign on Socials, was saying that it was a development developmental run when it was at the National.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah.

[Erin James]

And it did adapt a lot before Broadway.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah. So I think the conversation since they've started coming back has been, hey, remember when we were in London before at the National Theatre? Which didn't count, by the way. I then have the Little Big Things.

[Erin James]

Yep.

[Micky Jo]

That's a definite nom for me. I think Operation Mincemeat is also a definite nom.

[Erin James]

Yep.

[Micky Jo]

Can I do my Superman reveal? Excuse me. Bam. Operation Mincemeat, everybody. I'm gonna button back up for the next time I get to do that. Remind me, next time that gets a potential nomination, I have Next to normal.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

I've gone out of alphabetical order. I apologize. And I have a strange loop some years there are five best new musical nominees instead of four. Most years there are four. Sometimes there is five. There had better be five this year because there are so many. I could have named a bunch more.

[Erin James]

There's one more I put as a potential.

[Micky Jo]

What's your potential?

[Erin James]

Just for one day.

[Micky Jo]

So I initially had that, and I bumped it for A Strange Loop because that's what is. That's what I want in my heart. But I don't know if I actually predict that if I'm actually telling you what I'm concerned might happen on Tuesday. It's just for one day. And it's not a strange loop.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

Is there any other show you could see getting a rogue nomination?

[Erin James]

The kiln looked like they were eligible. So we had a feeling that at.

[Micky Jo]

One point we were thinking is Two Strangers Brackets carry a cake across New York. Yeah.

[Erin James]

And then if that one was, that would have been the one that I would have said potentially had the way in because it's so different from all the others that sometimes that works in the show's favor.

[Micky Jo]

That could have upset a category. No, you're very right. You're very right.

[Erin James]

But otherwise, I think everything else, I don't think anything. I think the other shows have a shared producer with one of these. So I feel like we've named their shows that they're going to push more.

[Micky Jo]

Or I should say this entire video is not. Who should get a nomination. This is not what we want to happen.

[Erin James]

This is what we think will happen.

[Micky Jo]

Because if that list would look very different.

[Erin James]

Yeah, it would look very different if we were saying these are the shows that we think.

[Micky Jo]

And we'd have 20 people in every category.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

Best revival of a musical.

[Erin James]

And I found this easy.

[Micky Jo]

The category of the year. I think, though I. I think London Theatre this past year, for multiple reasons, not just for one show, has been all about musical revivals. Talk me through yours.

[Erin James]

Groundhog Day.

[Micky Jo]

Oh, you think Groundhog Day is gonna get in there?

[Erin James]

Guys and Dolls?

[Micky Jo]

Yeah.

[Erin James]

Le Cage aux Falls.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Sunset Boulevard.

[Micky Jo]

Le Cage is a C. Because the LE is still the th E. Let's.

[Erin James]

Just stop with that. Cause it's just so much effort to. To be doing this whole.

[Micky Jo]

It's a verb, but it's French.

[Erin James]

Because we know it's not going to.

[Micky Jo]

Happen, but we know it's not going.

[Erin James]

To happen at the Oliviers if they.

[Micky Jo]

Do it that way. The dance I will do.

[Erin James]

They're not going to put la a comma and then LA at the end.

[Micky Jo]

But they still put it in at C. We'll find out. Listen, I'm willing to take that action. You want to make it interesting. I've got cash in the lounge.

[Erin James]

I said four. I didn't say crazy for you.

[Micky Jo]

You didn't say crazy for you.

[Erin James]

Do you know what? I think the thing with Crazy View is?

[Micky Jo]

Go ahead.

[Erin James]

Is that there's a certain amount. I mean, this is the same with Grindho Day. There's so much of an element that pre existed in a previous production because it's similar creatives returning.

[Micky Jo]

I think Crazy for your is. It's been a longer time and it's more of a substantial remounting. Groundhog Day was really just here won the Olivier. It still doesn't feel like a revival, especially because it's Andy Karl again, because it's at the same theater.

[Erin James]

Groundhog Day is probably one of the few if only shows they got across the board. Five stars from everyone.

[Micky Jo]

I still, weirdly, am not ready to put it on my list of four. And it's not even my fifth rogue. Fifth one that might get in Grand Talk Day is like sixth on my list. Not of should but of will, my rogue fifth one is wizard of Oz at the Palladium.

[Erin James]

The next category is Best Director.

[Micky Jo]

Best Director. This is a nightmare. Have there ever been six nominees?

[Erin James]

I don't think so. And I've. I only wrote down five. Until we start, I've got six names.

[Micky Jo]

Down and I cannot tell you there are still sizeable omissions from this.

[Erin James]

Rupert Gould for Dear England.

[Micky Jo]

Check.

[Erin James]

Sam Mendes for the Motive and the Queue.

[Micky Jo]

Check.

[Erin James]

Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard.

[Micky Jo]

Check.

[Erin James]

Sam Mendes for the Hills of California.

[Micky Jo]

That's the one I didn't put on.

[Erin James]

And Ivo Van Ho for Alyssa Life.

[Micky Jo]

Check. So I have two in addition to that. Nick Heitner for Guys and Dolls, and I have Stephen Daldrey for Stranger Things. The first Shadow.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

And I just. These are such heavyweight names. I don't know. Let's say you're hosting this, like, West End cocktail party and there's six people who all think they're sat at like, the top table. Which of those are you telling. Sorry, you don't actually have a space at this table. Who are you, like, turning away? Sam Mendes, Eva Van Hove, Nick Heitner, Jamie Lloyd, Rupert Gold or Stephen Daldry?

[Erin James]

I mean, I'm gonna, I'm gonna preface this with. It is very sad that this list is all just men.

[Micky Jo]

It's also that. It's also that Stranger Things is like.

[Erin James]

An umm and ah for me, because I think in technical it feels it has to. But in these, like these ones, I just don't know.

[Micky Jo]

That's kind of how I feel about Heightener with Guys and Dolls.

[Erin James]

Whenever anybody mentions Guys and Dolls, the first person that comes to my head is Bunny Christie. I think if we said each show and we said, right, name a creative team member for that show, it would likely be Bunny Christie because it's for design work.

[Micky Jo]

Mine wouldn't, but we'll get to that.

[Erin James]

Interesting.

[Micky Jo]

We will get to that. So if there's one director to fall off of my list, maybe it's Nick Heitner. If there's one to fall off of yours, who is it? Who is your least confident?

[Erin James]

I feel like it would be Sam Mendes just getting the one.

[Micky Jo]

So which. Which of the two, Sam Mendes is more of a lock for you?

[Erin James]

Motive and the Queue.

[Micky Jo]

Next up, let's. We've talked directors, let's talk about choreographers.

[Erin James]

Fabulous.

[Micky Jo]

So you said that Bunny Christie for the design was the first person you thought of for Guys and Dolls. The first person I thought of was Arlene. I mean, Arlene Phillips for the choreography.

[Erin James]

Last Year Arlene won the Olivier for Lifetime Achievement.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah. But I mean, what I love is someone getting lifetime achievement and then getting a nomination right back to work, being like, I'm still. You thought I was retired. I'm not.

[Erin James]

Yeah. After that award, she did so much, so many productions.

[Micky Jo]

I'm working right now. Working next week. Hold this. Put it on my mantelpiece. Got places to be, dancers to teach. Fabian El for Sunset Boulevard. All that sprinting across the stage. Action. David Neumann for Hadestown.

[Erin James]

See, I hadn't thought about that until you mentioned it. Yeah, I love the choreography in it. It just. I think there was just a couple others I instantly put. And then it all already was stuck with, oh, gosh.

[Micky Jo]

I didn't put Stephen Meir.

[Erin James]

See, I put Stephen Meir down. And then I put a question mark with Susan Stroman because I didn't know she'd be eligible.

[Micky Jo]

That's my curiosity. But I am gonna add Stephen Meir for Le Cage.

[Erin James]

I feel like Tim and Ms. Choreography in that production was the highlight.

[Micky Jo]

It was the thing. It was the moment. Yeah. And then finally, and we talked briefly about this earlier, so I know that you have this as well. Ellen Kane. Hannes Langolf for Dear England. There's always. Listen, the Olivier Awards, they love plays. The default is kind of plays in the Olivier Awards. That's why the categories are called Best Revival, meaning plays, but not said that. And then Best Revival of a Musical, the category is called Best Actor, meaning plays, and then Best Actor in a Musical. So even in the categories, you wouldn't think to see plays in, like, choreography and original score or new orchestrations. It's not unusual to see a play getting nominated.

[Erin James]

And I think if Ain't Too Proud had done its full run, we could have seen Ain't Too Proud in there. But I think. I think it would have been forgotten about. There wouldn't have been a campaign around.

[Micky Jo]

I literally forgot about it until you mentioned it in Argos earlier. And then I was like, oh, yeah, I just mentioned the category. Which ones do you have for Score Orchestrations? We're not gonna even dive into the weirdness of this category and who can come into it and all of that. Because I've talked about it at length before. Just search Olivier Awards and my name on YouTube and you'll find that whole.

[Erin James]

Rant of a video Operation Mincemeat.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Next to normal.

[Micky Jo]

I don't.

[Erin James]

Oh, why do I not have one on here?

[Micky Jo]

This is the year we're having where there's so many.

[Erin James]

Because I don't have Hadestown and I would put Hadestown there.

[Micky Jo]

I. I think I bumped Next to Normal for Hadestown.

[Erin James]

A strange loop.

[Micky Jo]

Yes. So help me God.

[Erin James]

And then my odd one was. It's. I think there'll be an orchestrations one. I first put Sunset. I think it could be Guys and Dolls or just for one day.

[Micky Jo]

I think it's just for one day because.

[Erin James]

And my hope, if there is going to be an orchestrations or arrangements one is that it's just for one day because the arrangements in that show are my favourite part of that show.

[Micky Jo]

That's what I think, is that they've done the most evident work.

[Erin James]

They're incredible arrangements.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah. I have the little big things on here.

[Erin James]

I wanted to put the little bit things in because I love it.

[Micky Jo]

I think the Oliviers will.

[Erin James]

I just don't know because I have.

[Micky Jo]

I have five. So I have that. I'll talk you through my thought process. A strange loop I think is going to get in here because I think that might sadly be the cursory nom if the show doesn't get one.

[Erin James]

Michael R. Jackson.

[Micky Jo]

For Michael R. Jackson, it's saluting the material. Hadestown, relative to Next to Normal feels much more contemporary and of the now. And Next to Normal isn't old enough to be classic. It just feels a little like late 2000s rock and roll dated.

[Erin James]

Let's go to set design.

[Micky Jo]

Let's go to set design.

[Erin James]

Are we going for with show titles with first name alphabetical order or last name alphabetical order.

[Micky Jo]

Just read the nominations.

[Erin James]

Can I just save them?

[Micky Jo]

I won't hold your feet to the fire on this one. How about that?

[Erin James]

I went with Sutri Gilmorphus and Set Boulevard.

[Micky Jo]

I do not have that. Wow.

[Erin James]

Okay.

[Micky Jo]

Because I think people will think that it's just a screen. Like, I think people would actually laugh at that nomination because. And not to say that it doesn't deserve one. It wasn't work done. But the whole joke is like, oh, Jamie Lloyd. There's never a set because it's a screen.

[Erin James]

For me it's depending on where they name like Nathan Anzi and the team. For me it's where they name them. And if they are.

[Micky Jo]

Can you imagine if we got a surprise video design category on Tuesday?

[Erin James]

I would be a surprise.

[Micky Jo]

There's a larger conversation to be had around this. But we were talking earlier and we can name about 10 shows that used video design in a really big way this year. A few of them in a like, production defining way, like Sunset Boulevard like the Picture of Dorian Gray. I believe A Little Life as well.

[Erin James]

I think Citri Gilmore is going to get a nomination this year. I'll be there for Sunset Boulevard for Just for One Day.

[Micky Jo]

I don't have Just for One Day either. Wow.

[Erin James]

Okay.

[Micky Jo]

Also uses video design.

[Erin James]

Interesting. So then I had Bunny Christie for Guys and Dolls.

[Micky Jo]

I don't have that either.

[Erin James]

I think there is no way that Bunny Christie does not get a nomination.

[Micky Jo]

Do you know I went back and forwards on Guys and do. Because again, it's public perception of what set design is. Because I agree with you. It absolutely should. But then it's like, see, I thought.

[Erin James]

That'S one of the most guaranteed categories for that show is set.

[Micky Jo]

It probably is. It probably isn't. I was thinking I'm probably wrong for excluding it. I don't know which of these I would drop.

[Erin James]

I had Dear England. I had Deer England.

[Micky Jo]

Es Devlin.

[Erin James]

Yes. Rachel Hawke for Hadestown.

[Micky Jo]

I had that as well.

[Erin James]

The one I didn't think would get in. But then I just put it there because I was like, it is a very impressive set. Was Rob Howell for the Hills of California.

[Micky Jo]

I didn't have that. I forgot about that.

[Erin James]

I thought it was a stunning set.

[Micky Jo]

Do you know I forgot about that. That deserves one. I think it actually might.

[Erin James]

But Miriam. But of Stranger Things that was the.

[Micky Jo]

Last one I wrote down Ben Stones for Operation Mincemeat.

[Erin James]

So I had Mincemeat on the back of my mind. I think when the plays are so strong this year, like that is an incredible moment. Some of those other shows have gone in the whole way through and I.

[Micky Jo]

Mean Hills of California is actually the one you said to me that I thought, oh gosh, do I need to recons. Let's carry on with design. Let's talk about costume. And I have Bunny Christie's name written down here because Bunny Christie was a co costume designer on Guys and Dolls with Deborah Andrews. I am thinking I probably should have put lecage and I didn't.

[Erin James]

I had lacage.

[Micky Jo]

Go on then. Who was the costume designer for lacage?

[Erin James]

Ryan Dawson.

[Micky Jo]

Late Michael Krass for Hadestown.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

I mean I just kept getting stuck on it really should be. And I don't know.

[Erin James]

You got a Tony Gnome.

[Micky Jo]

I've got Evie Gurney for Dear England.

[Erin James]

I do not have Dear England.

[Micky Jo]

I, you know, I just think it has such momentum that it's probably going to end up in a lot of categories.

[Erin James]

I fought differently. And then I also had Crazy Few for William Ivy Long.

[Micky Jo]

I mean, that's very musical theatre heavy. For the Oliviers, the Witches. That's very musical theatre heavy.

[Erin James]

And Stranger Things.

[Micky Jo]

I've got Brigitte Riefenstuhl.

[Erin James]

It is very musical theatre heavy. But I think the category that normally is musical theatre heavy is costume. I think the national will. That will be the category that the national might have pushed for the Witches.

[Micky Jo]

You're shocked by something.

[Erin James]

I don't know why I've forgotten about Old Friends for both of those categories as well. Because set design was gorgeous and so was the costume design.

[Micky Jo]

I know, but it's not like palladium.

[Erin James]

Panto normally gets costume design every year.

[Micky Jo]

Palladium panto is very different, but neither.

[Erin James]

Of us mentioned it.

[Micky Jo]

Saucer gown for Bernadette Peters versus turn Julie and Clary into a boat are two very different things.

[Erin James]

Oh, I just meant because of Lea Salonga's transformation.

[Micky Jo]

That's really one of the things that could surprise is old Friends. Let's talk lighting. Meanwhile, I feel a little more confident about this one.

[Erin James]

Okay.

[Micky Jo]

Everyone's name in my category begins with.

[Erin James]

A J. Nope, not for me.

[Micky Jo]

I have Jack Knowles for Sunset Boulevard.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

Jan Ver Swayveld. I'm so sorry. At the butchering of that name for a Little Life.

[Erin James]

I do not have that.

[Micky Jo]

Fine. And then I have John Clark twice.

[Erin James]

I have John Clark twice for Dear.

[Micky Jo]

England and Stranger Things. Yes. Who else do you have?

[Erin James]

I have Paul Constable for Guys and Dolls.

[Micky Jo]

Paulie Constable. Yes.

[Erin James]

And I have Bradley King for Hadestown.

[Micky Jo]

Who of those would you say biggest definite lock?

[Erin James]

Jack Knowles for Sunset Boulevard, I think so.

[Micky Jo]

I'm saying John Clarke only because I get to say for either Dear England or Stranger Things, it's kind of a guarantee. Good year to be John Clarke. He's sat at home somewhere, like, waiting to hear his name. Tuesday lunchtime. Do you want to read out who you've got for sound design?

[Erin James]

So I have Paul Arditi for Stranger Things. And for Guys and Dolls, I have exactly the same. I have Dan Balfour for Dear England.

[Micky Jo]

I weirdly don't, but I probably should.

[Erin James]

I have Adam Fisher for Sunset Boulevard.

[Micky Jo]

He's great. Isn't that what she said at the Watson Stage Awards? Wasn't that.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

Adam Fisher. You're great too.

[Erin James]

Yeah. And Gareth, you had to be.

[Micky Jo]

There was an in joke.

[Erin James]

And Gareth Fry for the Scottish play.

[Micky Jo]

I have a different Gareth, but for sound. I'd forgotten about what they did with the.

[Erin James]

That's the reason why I felt like if I didn't include it for the headphones experience, it probably no that's so smart of you.

[Micky Jo]

That's a very. That's.

[Erin James]

It was a move.

[Micky Jo]

That's probably true. If you don't know this was a production of Macbeth, you can say Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse where the audience members all had individual headsets headphones allowing affording the actors the possibility of this kind of like ASMR quality because the microphone dialogue was getting patched directly to audience members, which was not a universally beloved concept. We didn't get to see the production, but it was certainly interesting and certainly like industry leading, I guess, and boundary pushing. I have a different Gareth. I have Gareth Owen. For Just for One Day. We have this battle of the plays and the musicals and the creative categories. And I always like to hold out hope that musicals will dominate sound design because it's more moving pieces. It is harder. And I'm sure those who work across both will tell you that that like sound design in a musical is more challenging. You're not trying to balance a band, orchestra, music levels that change when you get different numbers of humans in the room, in the audience. So let me tell you about the nominations I have written down for best entertainment or comedy play. And at this point I should say we're not going to talk about the dance or the opera because we have no insight into it really or the family ones. But we do hope that Winnie the Pooh gets it. Winnie the Pooh at Riverside Studios gets a nomination. But as far as best entertainment or comedy goes, I think Peter Pan, the Palladium Pan Toe will probably get a slot. I think Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends is a lock.

[Erin James]

Yep.

[Micky Jo]

I then did think the Witches might go here. If they're paying any kind of attention this year. They know it's incredibly clever.

[Erin James]

With her being clever, they'd move it into that category.

[Micky Jo]

New musical is way too overcrowded with Pulitzer Prize winning, Tony Award winning shows. The Witches is better off going into entertainment or comedy. I don't think it would go family.

[Erin James]

I don't think so because family's a lot younger.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah. And the Witches was scary. I'm sure there are some that I'm forgetting because it's hard to think around this whole category. You've got Spitting image then. And unbelievable. I went with unbelievable.

[Erin James]

I had them in brackets. I actually wrote down three that was like. I kind of think so. And one of mine was Schoolgirls as a comedy play from. It did really well and I think people will have remembered it because it sold out really well. I kind of expect at Least one comedy play to get in there. So now let's move on to affiliate.

[Micky Jo]

Best achievement in an affiliate theatre.

[Erin James]

I'm quite. I quite strongly feel like feeling afraid.

[Micky Jo]

As if something terrible was gonna happen. Yeah.

[Erin James]

Will definitely be there. Strategic Love Play at the Soho. I can see being there. There's quite a lot that came down from Fringe that could be there. I just don't know the eligibility of Erens.

[Micky Jo]

You said Sleepover at the Bush.

[Erin James]

It was very popular. Yes.

[Micky Jo]

You said Tambo and Bones at Stratford East. At Digital Stratford East. I do think Two Strangers.

[Erin James]

I think it would be there.

[Micky Jo]

I think Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York is going to fly the flag for musicals in the affiliate theatre category. Because so often we never see them. They're eligible. Musicals at places like the Charing Cross.

[Erin James]

Allegiance was eligible last year.

[Micky Jo]

Yeah. And they just don't. They don't get those nominations for whatever reason. So I'm hoping that Two Strangers flies the flag for the musicals. Let's get this one out of the way because I. I lost years off my life putting these names on the list and I still don't forgive myself. I do think Amy Trigg.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

From the Little Big Things, I think.

[Erin James]

Amy Trigg is probably the strongest lock for me.

[Micky Jo]

I think that's a lock as well. Eleanor Worthington Cox, I desperately hope for next to normal. I do think Grace Hodgett Young is going to be on there for Sunset Boulevard.

[Erin James]

I don't know.

[Micky Jo]

You don't know? I think.

[Erin James]

I think she's the most likely to have an unfortunate split of vote where people vote for her for Eurydice and.

[Micky Jo]

People vote for her, but they're in different categories. So that doesn't split the vote.

[Erin James]

It does. Because if they vote for her in one, they might not in the other and they've only given one vote.

[Micky Jo]

I don't think so. I don't think that splits. I don't think that splits a vote. I'm saying it now. I think Sunset is going to get a nomination in every single acting category. My fourth was Gloria Neitri for Hadestown. I had Mel and then I remembered I'd forgotten Amy Trigg and that Amy Trigg absolutely had to go into this category. And that's Mel. Neela Barry, also from Hadestown. And then I. Torn between Mel and Gloria. I went with Gloria.

[Erin James]

I agree. I kind of think both will get in.

[Micky Jo]

So who are your four?

[Erin James]

My four were Amy Trigg, Melanie labarrie, Gloria Nitri and Eleanor Worthington Cox.

[Micky Jo]

So we didn't disagree all that much. If it could just be pushed to five, then we'd both be happy. Do you want to talk us through your supporting actor in a musical nominees? Yes.

[Erin James]

I found that one a lot easier. I had David Faxton, Jack Wolfe, Jack Malone and Tom Edden.

[Micky Jo]

I had Tom Edden from Crazy for your and I swapped him for Cedric Neal.

[Erin James]

Why have I not got Cedric here?

[Micky Jo]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Yeah.

[Erin James]

Serving versus what will happen. But I could see Cedric guessing it. Yes.

[Micky Jo]

He's been getting nominated in other awards. He was in the what's on Stage mix.

[Erin James]

And if there's people that you talk about when you leave that show, I.

[Micky Jo]

Just thought that interval moment really stays with me. Like Sit down youn Rock in the Boat is the show stopping movie.

[Erin James]

That's a fun one.

[Micky Jo]

Let's talk about featured actresses in a play. So I have Tuppence Middleton from the Motive in the queue who I. Who I loved. You can go watch my review. I gush about her performance. I have. And I don't know if you thought about this 1. Gina McKee for Dear England when it was at the National Theatre. Now we didn't see her because Dover Cohen had taken over by the time it went to the Prince Edward. But it's a very. It's a decent role.

[Erin James]

Yeah. My kind of next one was Kirsten Nilsson for Infinite Life.

[Micky Jo]

Interesting. Yes. Yes, I could see that. I mean everyone in that cast for Infinite Life. It depends who spoke to you, I guess.

[Erin James]

Yeah. I think for me it depends on who name wise people would also remember. Yeah. And then I had two people from the hills of California.

[Micky Jo]

I suspect we went with the same people. Ophelia Loverbond.

[Erin James]

Yeah. And Leanne Best.

[Micky Jo]

And Leanne Best. Yeah.

[Erin James]

I think Gloria is such a strong role.

[Micky Jo]

Do you have a Most Likely in that category to definitely get nominated to Vince Middleton. I would agree. It's turf. Middleton.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

The featured men in the plays.

[Erin James]

This is where I just kind of.

[Micky Jo]

Do you say musical?

[Erin James]

No, I said in a play.

[Micky Jo]

No, you said musical. I can. We can go back to it. Roll the tape. The features men in the.

[Erin James]

I just kind of threw names at it.

[Micky Jo]

I'm only featuring two shows.

[Erin James]

Luke Thompson.

[Micky Jo]

I agree.

[Erin James]

Zubinvala.

[Micky Jo]

I agree.

[Erin James]

Will close.

[Micky Jo]

I agree.

[Erin James]

Darahand.

[Micky Jo]

I agree.

[Erin James]

Patrick Bell.

[Micky Jo]

Oh, okay.

[Erin James]

You've added a fifth because actors in plays always get five.

[Micky Jo]

So that was the last one I was thinking about was Patrick Vale.

[Erin James]

Yeah. So that was my 5.

[Micky Jo]

I would agree completely. Wow. Look at us agreeing entirely on featured actor in A play of all categories. I did not see that coming.

[Erin James]

I expected two people from Dear England and I expected two people from A Little Life, because I'm encouraged that.

[Micky Jo]

Because I was scrolling through the Deer England cast and thinking, like, who was gonna respond? Who are people gonna respond to the most? So I'm encouraged that we chose the same ones. Will Close was a definite one for me. And then I was like, who is the second? Okay. No, I agree with that. Who is your. Well, I keep asking you this question, so I'll do it. I think Will Close out of the whole category for me is the biggest lock.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

Let's talk actors in a play. Men this year have really pulled it out of the bag. Like, men have done a great job in British theatre this year. So in both plays and musicals, it's best leading actor. Kind of a bloodbath. And when you look at the caliber of the performances that I'm potentially excluding, it's shocking. I'm shocked. I shocked myself. So I have, in alphabetical order, Joseph Fiennes for Dear England, Locke. Johnny Flynn for the Motive in the Queue.

[Erin James]

Yep.

[Micky Jo]

And Mark Gatiss for the Motive in the Queue. I think I feel like both will be there when Men do these, like, equal power plays. The Oliviers love it. Like, what was the other one? The Lehman trilogy? They're like, yeah, everyone, all of you? Yes, yes, yes. We love it. We love the work. James Norton. Yep. And Andrew Scott, Vanya. And it hurts me, it wounds me that my boy Daniel Rigby is not on my list for Accidental Death of an Anarchist. But who am I taking off of that list?

[Erin James]

You also just didn't mention Matt Smith or David Tennant.

[Micky Jo]

I didn't mention Matt Smith or David Tennant. I don't think. Listen, I haven't heard. Haven't. Didn't see either. Didn't see either. I'm very sorry. I haven't heard people talking about Matt Smith the same way they've talked about the other people on that list. I didn't hear people talk about David Tennant the same way they talked about other people on the list.

[Erin James]

The only thing with Enemy of the People is I think it's the best. One of the best reviewed plays of the whole year.

[Micky Jo]

It might be, but the critics do not. The critics don't do the Olivier nominations.

[Erin James]

It's tricky as well, because that's when like that open right at the very end of the season. So you don't hear many people talking about those shows.

[Micky Jo]

These are heavyweight performers to rip against. And I do think Louis McCartney.

[Erin James]

Yeah. Because otherwise there's not really many newcomers. It's mainly people that have done stuff.

[Micky Jo]

So I, I will jump up and down if Daniel Rigby gets into this category, because he absolutely should. This is a year where we're looking at Sir Kenneth Branagh being on stage and potentially not getting a nomination.

[Erin James]

Ian McKellen.

[Micky Jo]

Ian McKellen being on stage and Roger Allan being on stage and not getting nominations. Like the caliber of the people who are going to miss out on the nomination for best actor in a play, It's. They'll be in fine company. My goodness.

[Erin James]

So Best Actress.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

I have Sheridan Smith.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Sarah Snook.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Laura Donnelly.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Curs. Jimbo.

[Micky Jo]

No.

[Erin James]

And Harriet Walter.

[Micky Jo]

No. That is where we diverge. Not because I disagree, but just because I have different names.

[Erin James]

Okay.

[Micky Jo]

I have Maureen Lippman.

[Erin James]

I always forget that Rose is part.

[Micky Jo]

Of the season for Rose at the Ambassadors. And I, that's, that's my worry is that it was a very limited run.

[Erin James]

Near the start of the season, but.

[Micky Jo]

It was this incredible monologue performance. And Tracey Ann Oberman for the Merchant of Venice.

[Erin James]

Fair Play. I also thought, will they, Will they give it the chance to nominate Sarah Jessica Parker?

[Micky Jo]

Do you know, I hadn't even thought about Olivier's contention.

[Erin James]

And for them, Sophie Okonedo.

[Micky Jo]

Oh, for Soho Place. Wow. Wow. Again, calibre.

[Erin James]

Because that was a performance at the start of the season. You were like, it's a deadlock.

[Micky Jo]

I'm standing by my choices, but I don't know if I'm comfortable enough to say that anyone's a dead cert.

[Erin James]

I don't think anybody is.

[Micky Jo]

I'd say maybe Laura Donnelly, but I don't know. I don't know who, if anyone, is a lock in that category.

[Erin James]

I feel like the closest is either Laura Donnelly or Sheridan Smith.

[Micky Jo]

Now, frustratingly, we've been saying five names because the play nominations often go to five. The musicals, for no good reason whatsoever, often go to four.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

So this is about to get tricky. Let's talk about actors in a musical and I'm going to talk you through my list because this is the category I have been saying all year is competition. I do have Tom Francis down, but I could also see him falling off of the list.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

I have Charlie Stamp.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

For Crazy for your. I have Kyle Ramar Freeman.

[Erin James]

Yes.

[Micky Jo]

From A Strange Loop. I have Gabriel Vick from Doubtfire, which I think may be the show's only nomination.

[Erin James]

Yeah.

[Micky Jo]

In bracket, if a fifth magically happened, it would be Jamie Parker. I think so.

[Erin James]

I don't know. So I have in brackets Jamie Parker, Craig Ells for just the one day as Geldorf.

[Micky Jo]

Yes. Okay.

[Erin James]

Luke Fallon from Cold War potentially and Daniel Mays.

[Micky Jo]

We do need to remember Cold War at the Almeida. It could.

[Erin James]

Cold War is someone that could, I think for Cold War these are the two categories that I feel like it has the strongest chance which is with either Luke Fallon or Anya Charlotte.

[Micky Jo]

So I'll let you talk through actress then.

[Erin James]

So the four that I had were Nicole Scherzinger, Casey Levy.

[Micky Jo]

Yes.

[Erin James]

Marisha Wallace.

[Micky Jo]

Yes. And I think those, those three are locks. Are locks.

[Erin James]

And then I'd put Natasha Hodgson as.

[Micky Jo]

The fourth I had. But then you just saying Anya Shalotra.

[Erin James]

So my four in brackets are Tanisha Spring, Anya Chalotra, Grace Hodgett Young and then a wild card, Jenna Russell.

[Micky Jo]

I think all of those are wild cards. Honestly relative to. I mean I think it's just the fight for that fourth slot.

[Erin James]

The reason why I've spoken about Tanisha a lot, not only just because I loved her performance, but because she physically is the only performer that they could ask people to nominate for Grand Hot Day.

[Micky Jo]

But that's, that's why I don't know if it's going to be remembered because it has areas of ineligibility and so you forget. I forgot when making this list that it was eligible you will remember one.

[Erin James]

Performer over a list of names. So that's the only reason why I'm.

[Micky Jo]

Like she was great, it's just.

[Erin James]

But I. But she is like the wild card fourth person. Yeah, like I fully agree she is like the. It just depends on which show they remember.

[Micky Jo]

Well, there are going to be some surprises come Tuesday morning. I would love to know what all of you are thinking. Even if it's just like commenting down below with like you're most confident for each category. Don't feel like you have to write out dozens of names like we did. If you do by all, if you do want to by all means comment down below.

[Erin James]

And this was just our thoughts of what we think will get nominated, not our thoughts of like trying to gauge.

[Micky Jo]

From like how the Olivier is normally behave and like what's seemed like buzzy with the general populace. Not necessarily our specific opinions. You'll find out more of those on Tuesday.

[Erin James]

When we react to them, when we.

[Micky Jo]

React to them and we realize who hasn't made it in and we get sad about that or we jump up and down happy for people and we see who it is we're hoping for. I'm so stressed. Am I gonna sleep between now and then? I don't know. Please join us again on Tuesday live midday UK time on Tuesday here on YouTube. We're going to be live reacting to the Olivier Award nominations. In the meantime, comment with all of your thoughts and your predictions down below. And I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you 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.