A very long longlist, published today by the Evening Standard, reveals that performers including James Corden, Jude Law, Kevin Spacey, Kristin Scott Thomas and Sheridan Smith are in contention for a 2011 Theatre Award.
Nominees ranging from household names, such as Derek Jacobi and Imelda Staunton, to the less well known Ruth Negga and Harry Hadden-Paton are included in the list of performers who have impressed the Evening Standard’s jury over the past 12 months.
In the eyes of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards jury, the Royal Court has once again proved itself the leading producer of new plays, with three productions – The Heretic, Tribes and Remembrance Day – dominating a category that also includes two shows from the Almeida – The Knot Of The Heart and Tribes – and one each from the National Theatre (One Man, Two Guvnors) and the Gate (Wittenberg).
Most surprising may be the musicals that are missing from the longlist. While Betty Blue Eyes, Crazy For You and Matilda The Musical make the list, productions including the hugely popular Shrek The Musical, The Wizard Of Oz, Million Dollar Quartet and Ghost The Musical are conspicuous by their absence.
Following some serious discussion between the jury members, the current longlist will be narrowed down to a shortlist to be released in early November. The winners will then be announced at a ceremony at the Savoy on 20 November.
Visit the Evening Standard website for the full longlist.
MA