Three lyrca-clad Super Troopers pose on a glass balcony. Four teddy boys stand defiantly on a bar behind a jumping lion club. Two ripped denim-clad dancers bang bin lids in front of a rearing horse. Welcome to the This Morning Audience Award nominees class of 2015.
From the witches of Wicked to the backing singers of The Commitments, two weeks ago the Royal Opera House’s Paul Hamlyn Hall was taken over by representatives from every show eligible to take home this year’s coveted award that exclusively celebrates long-running West End shows.
Gathering in the striking room – imagine what it would be like to stand in a mirrored jewel box with half of Shaftesbury Avenue’s most famous inhabitants for company and you might get some idea of just what a wonderfully unique event it was – the talented line-up were on hand to meet This Morning’s Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes for some exclusive filming ahead of today’s launch, before posing for an extraordinary photo for today’s Guardian by celebrated photographer David Levene.
The result could only be described as a surreal theatrical wonderland as Phantom’s Gerónimo Rauch posed for a selfie with Billy Elliot The Musical’s Ruthie Henshall and an intrigued Matilda snuck up to Wicked’s glittering Glinda to ask if she could touch her legendary bubble dress.
The team from Official London Theatre was on hand to capture some of the magic of the event in our backstage gallery above. Take a look then head over to the Olivier Awards with MasterCard website and cast your vote and even be in with the chance of being at the ceremony yourself.