Mescal and Comer are among the 27 first-time acting nominees at this year’s awards (Picture: Getty)
It’s proven a star-studded shortlist for this year’s Olivier Awards, with Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer and David Tennant among those nominated for top gongs.
Killing Eve’s Comer received a best actress nod for her critically acclaimed one-woman play Prima Facie, while Mescal is up for best actor for his role in the new stage adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire.
Both are first-time nominees, and it tops off a remarkable awards season for Mescal, who has also been nominated for a leading actor Bafta and Oscar for his turn in Charlotte Wells’ film Aftersun.
Leading the production pack with nine nominations is My Neighbour Totoro, a new stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1988 animated film.
The Royal Shakespeare Company work received nods in categories including best entertainment or comedy play, best director and best original score.
Its lead Mei Mac is nominated for best actress but will face tough competition from Comer as well as Patsy Ferran for A Streetcar Named Desire, Janet McTeer for Phaedra, and Nicola Walker for The Corn is Green.
The Killing Eve star has been recognised for her one-woman show Prima Facie (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Oscar-nominee Mescal has continued the hype surrounding his turn in A Streetcar Named Desire, originally on at the Almedia and transferring to the West End next month (Picture: Getty)
In the male category, Mescal will go up against David Tennant for Good, Tom Hollander for Patriots, Rafe Spall for To Kill a Mockingbird and Giles Terera for Blues for an Alabama Sky.
Meanwhile, EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis said that she was ‘absolutely speechless’ to be nominated for best supporting actress for her turn as Celia in As You Like It, which saw her deliver Shakespearean verse in a combination of BSL, Sign Supported English and expressive physical gestures.
Her category also includes Pamela Nomvete for To Kill a Mockingbird, Caroline Quentin for Jack Absolute Flies Again, Sharon Small for Good and Anjana Vasan for A Streetcar Named Desire.
David Tennant is some of Mescal’s competition in the best actor category (Picture: Getty)
Rose Ayling-Ellis as Celia with her co-star Leah Harvey as Rosalind in As You Like It (Picture: Johan Persson)
Standing at the Sky’s Edge, which is set in Sheffield and premiered in the city in 2019 before transferring to London this year, is the most nominated musical with eight nods including best new musical and best director.
It was also recognised in the best actress in a musical category for its lead Faith Omole, who will compete against Katie Brayben for Tammy Faye, Anoushka Lucas for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and Miri Mesika for The Band’s Visit.
The best actor in a musical category will see Alon Moni Aboutboul for The Band’s Visit, Julian Ovenden for South Pacific, Andrew Rannells for Tammy Faye and Arthur Darvill for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! go head to head.
The RSC adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro is the most-nominated production at the 2023 awards, with nine nods (Picture: RSC/Manuel Harlan)
Former Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill is a nominee in the best actor in a musical category for his performance as Curly in Oklahoma! (Picture: Getty)
Newly transferred to the West End after sell-out runs on Broadway, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is one of the most nominated shows this year with seven nods, including best musical revival.
Following closely behind with six nominations each are A Streetcar Named Desire, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Band’s Visit, the musical adapted from the eponymous Israeli film.
It is a big year for first-time acting nominations with 27 people receiving their first nod, including Comer, Mescal, Ayling-Ellis, Quentin, Small and Vasan.
Creative first-time nominees include fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier for his self-titled Fashion Freak Show at the Roundhouse.
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, co-chief executives of the Society of London Theatre and executive producers of the Olivier Awards, said: ‘We would like to congratulate all the nominees for the Olivier Awards with Mastercard 2023.
‘It is incredible to see such a diverse range of people honoured for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
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‘We have no doubt this year’s event will be the ultimate celebration of theatre and are anticipating showstopping performances and an electric atmosphere.’
Ted Lasso actress and new Eurovision co-presenter Hannah Waddingham will host the Olivier Awards ceremony on April 2 at the Royal Albert Hall.
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Acting categories feature 27 fist-time nominees, and My Neighbour Totoro is the most nominated production.
