Wingardium leviosa! Harry Potter’s night of magic
IT HAS already conquered the fans, the critics and the box office. And last night, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child received the official stamp of approval from the theatre establishment too, sweeping the board with a record-breaking nine Olivier Awards.
The play became the most recognised theatre event in the 41year history of the prestigious awards, securing trophies in four key categories as well as craft prizes. It had gone into this year’s ceremony as the hot favourite, with 11 nominations.
Noma Dumezweni, who plays the adult Hermione in the play, won the best supporting actress award and said she had been “overwhelmed and humbled” to be given the chance to play Hermione. It will be seen by many as vindication for Dumezweni, who as an acclaimed black actress endured criticism after winning the chance to play what many fans assumed to be a white character. It is her second best supporting actress Olivier, following her win for A Raisin in the Sun in 2006. She used her acceptance speech to pay tribute to her mother and sister, saying it has been 40 years since they arrived in Britain as refugees. “We’ve done alright, haven’t we?” she said.
The role of Hermione had changed her life, she said later. “It’s an extraordinary piece of theatre. “So many young actors and actresses have told me that they’re so pleased I’m playing Hermione because they can see a version of themselves on the stage.”
Jamie Parker, who plays a grown up Harry Potter navigating fatherhood, was named best actor, while Anthony Boyle who plays the misunderstood Scorpius Malfoy, won best supporting actor. It is Boyle’s first Olivier after he re- ceived his big break in the role, being plucked straight from drama school.
Parker said: “I’m just so pleased and proud that the whole team are being celebrated.
“There was so much potential for cynicism about the show, so to have this reception and support is great.”
Parker beat Buried Child actor Ed Harris, Travesties star Tom Hollander and six-time winner Sir Ian McKellen who received his 10th nomination for No Man’s Land.
John Tiffany won best director, with the writer Jack Thorne and the entire team taking home best new play.
Speaking afterwards, Thorne said he hoped the Harry Potter play would act as a “gateway drug” to other theatre, enticing new audiences away from their Playstations.
The show also took home five craft awards: best costume, set design, sound, lighting and technology.
The nine awards beat a joint record held by Matilda and Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time, which both won seven awards.
Remaining categories saw Billie Piper win her first Olivier award for her performance in Yerma, which also picked up best revival.
Piper beat Glenda Jackson for her performance as King Lear, which saw her nominated for her first Oliver since 1984, The Glass Menagerie’s Cherry Jones and Hedda Gabler’s Ruth Wilson.
In her acceptance speech, Piper thanked her young children, saying: “I would love to thank my children more than anything. This doesn’t really mean anything to them at the moment, but maybe it will one day.”
Amber Riley was named best actress in a musical for Dreamgirls, beating Hollywood star Glenn Close for her role in Sunset Boulevard and Sheridan Smith for Funny Girl.
The awards, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall last night and were hosted by Jason Manford, will be broadcast on ITV tomorrow.