Podcast Summary: "Who will win at the OLIVIER Awards? | Predicting the 2025 West End Theatre Awards with Aeron James"

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host/Author: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey Jo) and Erin James
• Episode: Who will win at the OLIVIER Awards? | Predicting the 2025 West End Theatre Awards with Aeron James
• Release Date: March 31, 2025
• Description: Mickey-Jo and Erin James delve into their predictions for the 2025 Olivier Awards, analyzing nominations across various categories and offering insights into potential winners based on current trends and performances.

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Mickey Jo and his fiancé, Erin James, setting the stage for their comprehensive predictions on the upcoming 2025 Olivier Awards. They emphasize the excitement and uncertainty inherent in award predictions, inviting listeners to engage with their views while acknowledging the possibility of being "completely wrong" ([00:14], Erin James).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([00:17]): "We could be completely wrong."

Best New Musical

The hosts discuss the nominees for Best New Musical: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, MJ the Musical, Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, and Why Am I So Single?. They identify Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as frontrunners, primarily because only these two shows remain open, giving them a lasting impact ([01:40], Erin James).

Notable Insights:

• Erin James ([02:35]): "I think both should win."
• Mickey Jo ([02:36]): "I agree with both."

Best New Play

The conversation shifts to Best New Play, with nominees including The Theory of Thirteen, Giant, Kyoto Shifters, and The Years. Mickey Jo and Erin James favor The Years due to its momentum and critical acclaim, although they express admiration for Kyoto Shifters' innovative structure ([02:32] - [04:10]).

Notable Quotes:

• Erin James ([02:32]): "I just have this feeling that I think it's got that little bit of an edge of people talking."
• Mickey Jo ([04:10]): "I would love to see a win for Kyoto."

Best Musical Revival

In the Best Musical Revival category, the nominees are Starlight Express, Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof, and Hello, Dolly!. Both hosts agree that Fiddler on the Roof is a strong contender, given its widespread nominations and the quality of its revival. They also discuss the likely dominance of Oliver! and the focus on Hello, Dolly! as a powerhouse nominee ([04:52] - [06:07]).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([05:00]): "This is the most contentious of these show categories."

Best Play Revival

For Best Play Revival, the nominees include The Importance of Being Earnest, Mackinaw, Oedipus, and Waiting for Godot. Both hosts predict Oedipus as the winner, citing its Broadway transfer and the buzz surrounding its production ([06:11] - [07:32]).

Notable Quotes:

• Erin James ([06:11]): "I would say that Oedipus will win."
• Mickey Jo ([07:32]): "Never bet against Sonja Friedman."

Best Choreographer

The Best Choreographer category features Matthew Bourne for Oliver!, Julia Cheng for Fiddler on the Roof, Hothes Schechter for Oedipus, and Christopher Wheeldon for MJ the Musical. Initially skeptical about MJ the Musical's chances, Mickey Jo is convinced by Erin's argument and they ultimately support Christopher Wheeldon for his respected choreography ([11:35] - [12:47]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([12:17]): "I think Christopher Wheeldon's so respected."

Best Costume Design

Nominees for Best Costume Design are Hugh Durant for Robin Hood, Sashiko Nakahara for Spirited Away, Tom Scutt for Fiddler on the Roof, and Gabriella Slade for Starlight Express. Erin and Mickey Jo lean towards Gabriella Slade for Starlight Express, citing her prestigious background and memorable costumes ([14:41] - [16:10]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([16:00]): "Gabriella Slade will win costume design."

Best Set Design

The set design contenders include John Bowser, Toby Olier, Daisy Beatty, and Satoshi Kuriyama for Spirited Away; Frankie Bradshaw for Ballet Shoes; Es Devlin for Coriolanus; and Tom Scutt for Fiddler on the Roof. Both hosts predict Tom Scutt for Fiddler on the Roof due to its striking and innovative set that enhances the play's themes ([17:37] - [18:21]).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([18:00]): "It was really striking and it was really effective."

Best Choreography

Apologies, this seems to have been duplicated in previous sections. Proceeding to acting categories.

Best Director

The nominees for Best Director are Aline Arbo for The Years, Jordan Fine for Fiddler on the Roof, Nicholas Heitner for Giant, and Robert Icke for Oedipus. Mickey Jo and Erin James both support Helene Alba (assuming a typo in transcript referring to Aline Arbo) for her visionary direction in The Years, aligning with their Best New Play prediction ([10:19] - [11:13]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([10:43]): "She was fantastic in the years dealing with some of the plays most challenging sections."

Best Sound Design

The nominees include Nick Kalidster for Fiddler on the Roof, Christopher Schutt for Oedipus, Thies Van Vuhl for The Years, and Koichi Yamamoto for Spirited Away. Both hosts advocate for The Years, appreciating its innovative use of sound to enhance the narrative ([20:24] - [21:21]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([21:03]): "It utilizes sound the most in how what the cast members are doing."

Best Actor and Actress in Play

Best Actor in a Play: Nominees: Adrien Brody for The Fear of Thirteen, Billy Crudup for Harry Clark, Papa Eshidou for Death of England, Delroy John Lithgow for Giant, and Mark Strong for Oedipus. Despite concerns over Adrien Brody's public persona, both hosts back John Lithgow for his compelling performance in Giant ([30:33] - [33:08]).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([32:03]): "John Lithgow should win."

Best Actress in a Play: Nominees: Heather Agipong for Shifters, Leslie Manville for Oedipus, Rosie Sheehy for Mackinaw, Mira Sayau for A Tupperware of Ashes, and Endear of Armor for Oedipus. The consensus leans towards Leslie Manville for her portrayal in Oedipus, recognized for her impactful and memorable performance ([29:16] - [30:14]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([29:28]): "I think Leslie Manville's the person that people have been talking about."

Best Actor and Actress in Musical

Best Actor in a Musical: Nominees: John Daglish for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Adam Danheuser for Fiddler on the Roof, Miles Frost for MJ the Musical, Simon Lipkin for Oliver!, and Jamie Moscato for Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Both hosts predict John Daglish will triumph for his transformative performance without relying on prosthetics ([33:08] - [35:39]).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([34:00]): "John Daglish is the front runner here."

Best Actress in a Musical: Nominees: Tamisa Dawnford May for Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Lauren Drew for Titanic, Claire Foster for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Lara Pulver for Fiddler on the Roof, and Imelda Staunton for Hello, Dolly!. Erin and Mickey Jo unanimously support Imelda Staunton for her iconic role in Hello, Dolly!, acknowledging the performer's exceptional ability to embody Dolly Levi ([35:53] - [37:32]).

Notable Quote:

• Erin James ([37:08]): "If you hit Dolly Levi and you do it well, it takes."

Conclusion

Mickey Jo and Erin James wrap up their predictions with a strong agreement on most categories, expressing excitement and anticipation for the actual outcomes at the Olivier Awards. They encourage listeners to share their own predictions and engage in discussions post-ceremony ([38:00] - [39:48]).

Notable Quote:

• Mickey Jo ([39:17]): "Who would you like to win an Olivier, who are you rooting for the most out of all of these categories?"

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Mickey Jo and Erin James provide insightful analysis grounded in their knowledge of theatre and the performances of the past year. Their predictions are backed by observations of current trends, critical acclaim, and the lasting impact of the nominated performances and productions. This episode serves as a valuable guide for theatre enthusiasts eager to anticipate the outcomes of one of London's most prestigious theatre awards.

Engage with the Hosts: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the MickeyJoTheatre YouTube channel and follow them on podcast platforms for ongoing theatre coverage, including features, news, interviews, and lifestyle content related to the theatre world.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and may not reflect actual event timings.