The Bodyguard and Top Hat slug it out at the Oliviers
With the Olivier Awards being televised this year on Sunday the prestigious Olivier Awards for the best in London theatre are more eagerly anticipated than ever. Will The Bodyguard squash the Top Hat?
The Bodyguard the new musical based on the film of the same name, featuring the music of Whitney Houston is leading the way with four Olivier Award nominations including best new musical.
Also the star of the show, Heather Headley leads the way, alphabetically at least, in the race to scoop the award for the Best Actress in a musical. Not that we are biased at Shows in London, but we are rooting for Heather who is simply sensational in the show.
Lloyd Owen and Heather Headley stars of the musical The Bodyguard at the Adelphi theatre in London
Hot competition comes from another musical, Top Hat at the Aldwych theatre, with stars Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen up for the awards of Best Actor in a musical and Nest Actress in a Musical respectively.
Top Hat is also in competition with The Bodyguard for best new musical.
Debbie Kurup, who plays the role of Nicki Marron, sister of Rachel Marron the superstar character at the centre of the story, is in line for the award for Best performance in a supporting role in a musical. Well deserved recognition for a truly inspiring performance.
Leigh Zimmerman for A Chorus Line at the London Palladium is another contender in the category for Best performance in a supporting role in a musical.
The Bodyguard and Top Hat are also vying for some of the design awards. Gareth Owen for Best sound design for Top Hat, Jon Morrell for Best costume design for Top Hat.
Tim Hatley for the Bodyguard goes head-to-head with Hildegard Bechtler for Top Hat for the award for Best set design.
Not unsurprisingly, Bill Deamer is in the running for Best theatre choreographer for Top Hat, with its spectacular dance routines, so expertly put together and so wonderfully executed.
Top Hat the musical at the Aldwych theatre in London
And finally two of the nicest people that you could ever meet are awarded an honourable score draw by Shows in London as the best Box Office Managers ever, Vereen Irving at the Adelphi theatre home of the Bodyguard and Dominique Sanchez at the neighbouring Aldwych theatre home to Top Hat.
All in all it promises to be an exciting night at the Olivier’s, and all those stars practising their gracious smiles when they don’t win an award should be a category in itself.
Click here to book the Bodyguard musical tickets or to buy Top Hat the musical tickets.
