Harry Potter and The Cursed Child breaks Olivier Awards history

6 March 2017

'Harry Potter And The Cursed Child' has become the most nominated new play in the history of the Olivier Awards.

J.K Rowling

The two-part theatre production - penned by J. K. Rowling - which imagines Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley as adults waving their children off to the famous wizarding school Hogwarts, has smashed the record for the annual ceremony after it pulled in an impressive 11 nominations - including Best New Play - on Monday (06.03.17).

Jamie Parker - who portrays the grown up version of the titular wand-waving wizard - could be in with the chance of walking away with the trophy for Best Actor at the event next month, but he will need to beat off stiff competition from 'Buried Child' star Ed Harris, Travesties' Tom Hollander and six-time winner Sir Ian McKellen.

Although no one from the play managed to creep into the Best Actress category this time around, Hadyn Gweynne, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Rebecca Trehearn and Emma Williams will go head-to-head for their portrayals in 'The Threepenny Opera', 'Murder Ballad', 'Show Boat' and 'Half a Sixpence', respectively.

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' has also managed to worm its way into the Outstanding Achievement in Music category alongside 'Dreamgirls', 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'School Of Rock The Musical'.

Sheridan Smith - who hasn't had the easiest of times recently after tragically losing her father to cancer earlier this year - will be pleased to learn that she's in with the chance of bagging the gong for Best Actress in a Musical for her impressive portrayal of Fanny Brice in The Savoy's 'Funny Girl'.

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' has also secured a nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer thanks to Steven Hoggett, Best Lighting Design due to Neil Austin's hard work and Best Set Design because of Christine Jones, while Anthony Boyle and Noma Dumezweni bagged nods for Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role.

Sir Kenneth Branagh will also be honoured for his contribution to theatre at this year's awards.

Julian Bird, executive producer of the Olivier Awards, said: "In a year of global change, the nominees for this year's awards demonstrate London theatre's ability to challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and entertain us.

The Olivier Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall in west London on April 9.

Olivier Awards nominations 2017 are as follows:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Ian Bartholomew for 'Half a Sixpence' at Noël Coward Theatre

Adam J Bernard for 'Dreamgirls' at Savoy Theatre

Ben Hunter for 'The Girls' at Phoenix Theatre

Andrew Langtree for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Haydn Gwynne for 'The Threepenny Opera' at National Theatre - Olivier

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for 'Murder Ballad' at Arts Theatre

Rebecca Trehearn for 'Show Boat' at New London Theatre

Emma Williams for 'Half a Sixpence' at Noël Coward Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Music:

'Dreamgirls' - music by Henry Krieger at Savoy Theatre

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' - composer and arranger Imogen Heap at Palace Theatre

'Jesus Christ Superstar' - The band and company creating the gig-like rock vibe of the original concept album of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

'School Of Rock the Musical' - Three children's bands who play instruments live every night at New London Theatre

Best Theatre Choreographer:

Matthew Bourne for 'The Red Shoes' at Sadler's Wells

Peter Darling and Ellen Kane for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Steven Hoggett for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Drew McOnie for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Best Musical Revival:

'Funny Girl' at Savoy Theatre

'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

'Show Boat' at New London Theatre

'Sunset Boulevard' at London Coliseum

Best Actor in a Musical

David Fynn for 'School Of Rock The Musical' at New London Theatre

Tyrone Huntley for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Andy Karl for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Charlie Stemp for 'Half A Sixpence' at Noël Coward Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

Glenn Close for 'Sunset Boulevard' at London Coliseum

'The Girls' - Debbie Chazen, Sophie-Louise Dann, Michele Dotrice, Claire Machin, Claire Moore and Joanna Riding - for 'The Girls' at Phoenix Theatre

Amber Riley for 'Dreamgirls' at Savoy Theatre

Sheridan Smith for 'Funny Girl' at Savoy Theatre

Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Lee Curran for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Natasha Katz for 'The Glass Menagerie' at Duke of York's Theatre

Hugh Vanstone for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Best Sound Design

Paul Arditti for 'Amadeus' at National Theatre - Olivier

Adam Cork for 'Travesties' at Apollo Theatre

Gareth Fry for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Nick Lidster for Autograph for 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Best Costume Design

Gregg Barnes for 'Dreamgirls' at Savoy Theatre

Hugh Durrant for 'Cinderella' at London Palladium

Rob Howell for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Katrina Lindsay for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Best Set Design

Bob Crowley for Disney's 'Aladdin' at Prince Edward Theatre

Bob Crowley for 'The Glass Menagerie' at Duke of York's Theatre

Rob Howell for 'Groundhog Day' at The Old Vic

Christine Jones for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Anthony Boyle for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Freddie Fox for 'Travesties' at Apollo Theatre

Brian J Smith for 'The Glass Menagerie' at Duke of York's Theatre

Rafe Spall for 'Hedda Gabler' at National Theatre - Lyttelton

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Melissa Allan, Caroline Deyga, Kirsty Findlay, Karen Fishwick, Kirsty MacLaren, Frances Mayli McCann, Joanne McGuinness and Dawn Sievewright for 'Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour' at National Theatre - Dorfman

Noma Dumezweni for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Clare Foster for 'Travesties' at Apollo Theatre

Kate O'Flynn for 'The Glass Menagerie' at Duke of York's Theatre

Best Actor

Ed Harris for 'Buried Child' at Trafalgar Studios 1

Tom Hollander for 'Travesties' at Apollo Theatre

Ian McKellen for 'No Man's Land' at Wyndham's Theatre

Jamie Parker for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' at Palace Theatre

Best Actress

Glenda Jackson for 'King Lear' at The Old Vic

Cherry Jones for 'The Glass Menagerie' at Duke of York's Theatre

Billie Piper for 'Yerma' at Young Vic