A radical restaging of Hollywood film noir musical “Sunset Boulevard” stole the show at the London stage Olivier Awards, clinching seven trophies, including best musical revival and best actress for American star Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger's portrayal of fading silver screen star Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” revival earned her the best actress award, while her co-star Tom Francis won best actor for his role as a struggling screenwriter.
The soccer-themed drama “Dear England” was recognized as the best new play, with Sarah Snook and Mark Gatiss among the acting winners. Jamie Lloyd's innovative direction of “Sunset Boulevard” was acknowledged with the directing trophy, as the production seamlessly integrated live video with onstage action, also securing awards for sound and lighting design.
“Operation Mincemeat,” a word-of-mouth hit based on a real-life espionage operation during World War II, was named best new musical. The prequel to the Netflix series “Stranger Things” was honored as the best new entertainment or comedy.
The Oliviers, equivalent to Broadway’s Tony Awards, celebrated a successful year for new shows in the West End, rebounding from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, winners expressed concerns over the rising cost of theater tickets and the diminishing opportunities for working-class talent in the arts due to cuts in arts education.
The ceremony, hosted by “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, featured performances from nominated musicals and culminated in a tribute to the National Theatre, which marked its 60th anniversary in 2023.
Notable winners included Sarah Snook for best actress in a play, Mark Gatiss for best actor, and Will Close for best supporting actor in a play. Haydn Gwynne was posthumously awarded best supporting actress for her role in “When Winston Went to War with the Wireless.”
