Olivier Awards 2016 – A Very Biased Overview

**Overall Impression** I was really pleased with the Oliver winners this year – I agree with nearly every award, which is always exciting. It has been lovely to see Gypsy and Kinky Boots do so well, and I was equally chuffed at the achievements of Nell Gwynn, Showstopper, and other fantastic productions. What with Judi Dench setting a new record by collecting her EIGHTH Olivier Award, it was quite the event! **The Five Most Exciting Ones** Best New Musical: [**Kinky Boots (the Adelphi Theatre)**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/1451/Kinky-Boots-tickets.aspx) -It absolutely had to be **Kinky Boots**. This show has hit the West End with style and, with a recording of the current cast having been released on the 1st April, it is only going to get more and more popular. An extremely exciting win. Best Musical Revival: **Gypsy (the Savoy Theatre)** -Could it have been anything else? What a production – another very well-deserved award. Best New Comedy: [**Nell Gwynn (the Apollo Theatre)**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/2164/Nell-Gwynn-tickets.aspx) -Nell Gwynn is the definitive comedy in the West End at the moment. It is sort of like The Importance of Being Earnest; you could quite accurately call it “a trivial play for serious people” - another fabulous show. Best Actor In A Musical: **Matt Henry For Kinky Boots (the Adelphi Theatre)** -**Matt Henry** is simply wonderful. He owns the character of Lola, performing with absolute conviction, power, and energy. WELL DONE! Best Actress In A Musical: **Imelda Staunton For Gypsy (the Savoy Theatre)** -Well, this was as close to inevitable as you get – and for good reason. Whilst not really a surprise, it was still an exciting award in my very biased opinion. **Five More Pretty Exciting Ones** Best Entertainment And Family: [**Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (the Apollo Theatre)**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/1924/Showstopper--The-Improvised-Musical-tickets.aspx) -I adore the idea of **Showstopper** – but the flawless execution of the idea is even more impressive. Everybody should see a **Showstopper** … or two … Best Actress: [**Denise Gough For People, Places And Things (The National Theatre, Dorfman)**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/2125/People--Places-and-Things-tickets.aspx) -Whilst part of me was rooting for **Gemma Arterton (for Nell Gwynn)** to win this, **Denise Gough's** performance really is unparalleled, and I think that she thoroughly deserved this award. Her mastery over the art of acting is an absolute pleasure to watch. You can read my [**People, Places And Things review here.**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/post/784/Review--People--Places---Things-At-The-Wyndham-s-Theatre.aspx) Best Actress In A Supporting Role In A Musical: **Lara Pulver For Gypsy (the Savoy Theatre)** -Another cast-related win for Gyspy! Three cheers! Best Costume Design: **Gregg Barnes For Kinky Boots (the Adelphi Theatre)** -Could it have been anything else? The boots! Best New Play: **Hangmen (Jerwood Theatre Downstairs At The Royal Court and Wyndham's Theatre)** -I'd have been happy if **People, Places and Things** had won this award, but I am even happier that Hangmen did. Both shows were / are fantastic pieces of theatre, but Hangmen, for me, was the best. **Go On Then – Another Five** Best Set Design: **Anna Fleischle For Hangmen (Jerwood Theatre Downstairs At The Royal Court And Wyndham's Theatre)** -The set of Hangmen was one of the highlights of the show; I am very glad that it has been recognised. Best Lighting Design: **Mark Henderson For Gypsy (the Savoy Theatre)** -Whilst I loved the lighting of Gypsy, I am inclined to think that the lighting for People, Places and Things as well as for Oresteia (both shows being other nominees) was a little more exciting, and original. Best Sound Design: **Tom Gibbons For People, Places And Things (the National Theatre, Dorfman)** -Another win for **People, Places and Things** – what a show! And the sound design was extremely impressive; I loved how immersive it was. Best Director: **Robert Icke For Oresteia (Almeida Theatre)** -I was quite surprised by this one. Oresteia was a wonderful show but, looking at the other nominees (The Winter's Tale; Hangmen; Gypsy) I certainly wouldn't have expected it to win. Best Actress In A Supporting Role: **Judi Dench For The Winter's Tale (the Garrick Theatre)** -Judi Dench picked up her EIGHTH Olivier this year – a new record! [**For the full list of Olivier Awards 2016 winners, check out LTD's news article!**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/1760/The-Olivier-Awards-2016-Full-List-Of-Winners--OlivierAwards.aspx)