Nominations for the Olivier Awards have been announced.
For Dance-related awards:

BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION
Nederlands Dans Theater 2’s DREAM PLAY (chor. Johan Inger) at Sadler’s Wells 
George Piper Dances’ MESMERICS (chor. Christopher Wheeldon)at Sadler’s Wells 
Paul Taylor Dance Company’s PROMETHEAN FIRE at Sadler’s Wells
BROKEN FALL (chor. Russell Maliphant), a George Piper Dances commission in association with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
Carlos Acosta for his TOCORORO – A CUBAN TALE at Sadler’s Wells 
Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks their performances in English National Ballet’s 2 HUMAN (chor. Wayne McGregor)at Sadler’s Wells 
Javier De Frutos for his choreography of Rambert Dance Company’s ELSA CANASTA at Sadler’s Wells 
The dancers of Rambert Dance Company for their season at Sadler’s Wells

More

<small>[ 15 January 2004, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Well, I for one, would have the hardest time picking between Mesmerics and Promethean Fire

Thanks a lot for posting this information corrival. I've taken the liberty of adding the choreographers' names. Wonder why the Olivier people left them out?

You're right - both the works you mention are strong. But, it could easily be "Broken Fall" that takes the prize - it's a stunner.

If I was at Sadler's I would be cock-a-hoop that they have 7 of the 8 nominations.

Here are the nominations for musicals as well:

BEST NEW MUSICAL

JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA music by Richard Thomas, book and lyrics by Stewart Lee & Richard Thomas at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

RAGTIME book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, based on the novel by E L Doctorow at the Piccadilly

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanine Tesori, new lyrics by Dick Scanlan, at the Shaftesbury


OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION

HIGH SOCIETY music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Arthur Kopit at the Open Air

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at the New London

PACIFIC OVERTURES music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, additional material by Hugh Wheeler at the Donmar Warehouse

TELL ME ON A SUNDAY music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Don Black at the Gielgud


BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Maria Friedman for RAGTIME at the Piccadilly

Amanda Holden for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at the Shaftesbury

Alison Jiear for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

Maureen Lipman for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at the Shaftesbury

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

David Bedella for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

Graham Bickley for RAGTIME at the Piccadilly

Michael Brandon for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

Kevyn Morrow for RAGTIME at the Piccadilly


BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL

Tracie Bennett for HIGH SOCIETY at the Open Air

The Chorus of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

Richard Henders for PACIFIC OVERTURES at the Donmar Warehouse

Jerome Pradon for PACIFIC OVERTURES at the Donmar Warehouse

Matthew White for RAGTIME at the Piccadilly

BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER

Jenny Arnold for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge

Rob Ashford for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at the Shaftesbury

Karen Bruce for PACIFIC OVERTURES at the Donmar Warehouse

<small>[ 15 January 2004, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Here are the winners relevant to CriticalDance, including musicals, of course:

Best theater choreographer: Karen Bruce for ``Pacific Overtures''

Best new dance production: ``Broken Fall,'' a George Piper Dances commission in association with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House

Outstanding achievement in dance: Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks for their performances in English National Ballet's ``2 Human'' at Sadler's Wells.

Best new musical: ``Jerry Springer -- The Opera,'' music by Richard Thomas, book and lyrics by Thomas and Stewart Lee at the National Theater Lyttleton and Cambridge

Outstanding musical production: ``Pacific Overtures,'' music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, additional material by Hugh Wheeler at the Donmar Warehouse

Best actress in a musical: Maria Friedman for ``Ragtime'' at the Piccadilly

Best actor in a musical: David Bedella for ``Jerry Springer''

Best performance in a supporting role in a musical: The chorus of ``Jerry Springer''

Best entertainment: Duckie's ``C'est Barbican!'' devised and written by Mark Whitelaw, Ursula Martinez, Christopher Green, Marisa Carnesky, Francesca Baglione and Simon Vincenzi, scored by Ian Hill at The Pit

Outstanding achievement in opera: Cristina Gallardo-Domas for The Royal Opera's ``Madama Butterfly'' at the Royal Opera House

Best lighting design: ``Pacific Overtures'' designed by Hugh Vanstone

Best sound design: ``Jerry Springer'' designed by Mike Walker

<small>[ 24 February 2004, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

These awards could be seen as recognition of the alternative arts: "Jerry Springer" started life at Battersea Arts Centre an eccentrically designed local arts venue and two contemporary/modern dance makers win the major dance awards for their work with ballet companies.

Hats off to George Piper Dances and Russell Maliphant, a collaboration that has produced rich results by any standards - "Broken Fall" was one of the most gripping pieces I saw last year. Wayne McGregor's "2 human" is another show-stopper which always has me grinning ear to ear.

I'm in Tallinn today, where they are celebrating their original independence after the First World War. The flags will also be out for local heroes Agnes Oakes (Age Ox in Estonian) and Thomas (Toomas) Edur as well. It couldn't happen to a nicer or more talented partnership.

<small>[ 24 February 2004, 02:11 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

For our many Estonian readers - no really - here are two articles about the victory of Oakes and Edur from Postimees, one of the leading Estonian newspapers:

http://www.postimees.ee/250204/esileht/kultuur/127404.php

http://www.postimees.ee/250204/esileht/arvamus/127410.php

<small>[ 26 February 2004, 01:48 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>