The acclaimed stage adaptation of Hetty Feather was flying the flag for family theatre at today’s Olivier Awards nominations announcement, receiving a nod in the Best Entertainment and Family category.
Sally Cookson’s acclaimed production of Jacqueline Wilson’s much loved book about the feisty Victorian heroine of its title faces competition from draw-dropping cabaret show La Soirée and Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace’s latest showcase Dance ‘Til Dawn for the prestigious award.
Hetty Feather brought the spectacle of the circus to Theatreland last summer when the show transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre following a successful run at the Rose Theatre Kingston.
Adapted by Emma Reeves and starring Holby City’s Phoebe Thomas, the family production told the story of Wilson’s popular protagonist as she escapes from the Foundling Hospital to find a family of her own.
Hetty Feather’s nomination was announced, along with the nominees for all of the Olivier Awards categories, at a special event hosted by last year’s Best Actress winner Lesley Manville and 2015 Best Actor nominee James McAvoy at the luxurious Rosewood London.
Other family shows recognised at the announcement were the four long-running productions shortlisted for the This Morning Audience Award. Matilda The Musical, Wicked, Billy Elliot The Musical and Jersey Boys all stand a chance of taking home the only public-loved prize at this year’s glittering ceremony.
Those who voted for one of the quartet in the first round of voting can sit back and relax as their voted will be carried over to the second round. Those who didn’t can vote again for one of the shortlisted musicals here.
Theatre fans will find out which of today’s lucky nominees will turn into Olivier Award winners on 12 April at the star-studded Olivier Awards with MasterCard ceremony when the crème de la crème of theatre talent gather at London’s iconic Royal Opera House for the most illustrious event in the theatre awards calendar.