'Spamalot' lost a lot at Oliviers
The Oliviers, the West End equivalent of the Tonys, were handed out Sunday night at London's Grosvenor House Hotel in a relaxed ceremony, made more so by being untelevised. "Caroline, or Change" won best musical beating out both "Avenue Q," which triumphed over it at the 2004 Tonys, and "Spamalot," the 2005 Tony winner, which went 0 for 7 nominations. The revival of the Sondheim tuner "Sunday in the Park with George" won 5 Ollies, including best revival, actress (Jenna Russell), and actor (Daniel Evans) and is expected on Broadway in the fall.
Also due on this side of the pond then is the new Tom Stoppard play, "Rock and Roll," though whether Rufus Sewell, best actor winner, will be reprising his role remains uncertain. Another transfer, "Frost/Nixon", by redhot scripter Peter Morgan ("The Queen"), went home empty handed with best play being "Blackbird", a bittersweet drama by David Harrower. The Oliviers also recognize best comedy which went to "The 39 Steps", an inventive retelling of the Hitchcock classic by only four actors. However, supporting roles are reduced to single categories combining actors and actresses with Jim Norton winning for the play "The Seafarer" and Sheila Hancock getting the nod for the musical "Cabaret."
For a full list of winners, CLICK HERE.



