‘Cursed Child’ Breaks Records at the Olivier Awards
Apr 10, 2017
Actor Interviews, Branagh, Broadway, Christine Jones, Events, Exclusives, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Honors/Awards, HP Cast, Interviews, J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, Katrina Lindsay, Neil Austin, News, Sonia Friedman, Steven Hoggett, West End
On Sunday 8th April, the Olivier Awards – the UK’s most prestigious celebration of theatre and stage arts – took place at the Royal Albert Hall. Leaky was lucky enough to cover the event live, and watched as Cursed Child won a record-breaking nine awards, after being nominated for another record-breaking eleven awards! Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart in the Harry Potter series) was also commended with the Special Award on the night, for outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions to theatre.
Many of the Cursed Child cast and crew sent their best wishes to those with nominations:
Love and luck to my @HPPlayLDN family today @antoboyle @DickLeFenwick @MissDumezweni @johntiffany @stevenhoggett ❤️ #OlivierAwards
— Sam Clemmett (@sam_clemmett) April 9, 2017
Sending wizarding good wishes to all the #CursedChild nominees ⚡ https://t.co/FVJOdrd0Wa
— James Howard (@JHowardActor) April 9, 2017
It's #OlivierAwards day 🌟🤞🏼🏆looking forward to being mentioned in @MissDumezweni @antoboyle #JohnTiffany @stevenhoggett 's …
— Tom Milligan (@mistermilligan) April 9, 2017
Wishing all @HPPlayLDN gang fun tonight @OlivierAwards! Sorry to not be enjoying the evening with you in person but tuning in from afar!!
— Imogen Heap (@imogenheap) April 9, 2017
Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) and Paul Thornley (Ron) also shared a sweet conversation before the event, later retweeted by Rowling:
Huge love and luck to my showbiz wife @MissDumezweni tonight, 😘😘💥. It's not about winning but about taking part #horseshit
— Paul Thornley (@paulfthornley) April 9, 2017
And that's WHY I Love my showbiz hubby! Ha!! https://t.co/BBcis9o49a
— MissNoma (@MissDumezweni) April 9, 2017
We kicked off our coverage of the event with news from the red carpet, where guests were arriving en masse! Anthony Boyle spoke about his nerves at this being his first Olivier Awards attendance, and supported the rest of the cast, saying the success of the show was down to the talent behind the scenes and the collective love of Potter across the globe:
"Very nervous, but very excited!" @antoboyle is on the red carpet at his first #OlivierAwards! @HPPlayLDN @OlivierAwards #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/TSyb4UlJt5
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"We've got such a lovely company […] it's such an amazing recognition", says @antoboyle #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/ZrJYOisGqC
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Why are @HPPlayLDN & #HarryPotter so popular? "It talks to the outsider", says @antoboyle #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/8VlV3va9x7
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Potter is about "finding solace" because we all feel lonely – lovely sentiment from @antoboyle #CursedChild #OlivierAwards ☺️
— HPPlayFans (@HPPlayFans) April 9, 2017
Noma Dumezweni also shared her nerves:
#CursedChild's @MissDumezweni is on the carpet, feeling slightly overwhelmed! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/Gb9xE0mR7u
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The cast of Dreamgirls, Funny Girl and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour – all produced by Cursed Child‘s Sonia Friedman – were also in attendance. Amber Riley gave a brilliant debut performance from the UK previews of Dreamgirls, and later went on to win Best Actress in a Musical:
The cast of #CursedChild producer Sonia Friedman's @DreamgirlsLDN are also on the red carpet! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/Qmk6Cxr2dZ https://t.co/H0fyUPJbMs
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
UK premiere of #CursedChild producer Sonia Friedman's #OlivierAwards Best Musical nominee, 'Dreamgirls' on stage now! https://t.co/oqbv155FX2
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
We also caught a glimpse of Kenneth Branagh on the carpe before the big night, as well as nominated Cursed Child movement director Steven Hoggett:
#HarryPotter's Kenneth Branagh (G. Lockhart) is on the red carpet! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/OOhomUDtaR pic.twitter.com/9hKI6XDNox
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
#CursedChild's Olivier-nominated movement director Steven Hoggett has joined the event! #OlivierAwards @HPPlayLDN https://t.co/HLAGP8xboR
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights, Moana) will be starring in Mary Poppins next Christmas with Julie Walters, and was at the event to hand over the award for Best New Musical:
It's @HamiltonMusical 's @Lin_Manuel on the red carpet, who will star with #HarryPotter's Julie Walters in Mary Poppins! #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/RI1UAHRIVK
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The first win of the night went to Sonia Friedman’s Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, which won Best New Comedy:
Congratulations to #CursedChild producer Sonia Friedman's @OurLadiesLDN! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/SC0X4iVmFV
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for Best New Comedy goes to… @OurLadiesLDN! pic.twitter.com/RWeTW1xR3q
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Neil Austin won Best Lighting Design for his work on Cursed Child, making win number one for the play (it was basically a chain of wins from this point onward). He thanked the ‘people you’ve never heard of’ in his speech:
Neil Austin of @HPPlayLDN wins Best Lighting Design – congratulations! #OlivierAwards #cursedchild https://t.co/epfCwExuUC
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"The people I'd really like to thank are the people you've never heard of" says #OlivierAwards winning Neil Austin, of @HPPlayLDN
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The @WhiteLightLTD Award for Best Lighting Design goes to… Neil Austin! pic.twitter.com/njaXl1lHyr
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Gareth Fry won Best Sound Design, and was in awe at the amount of support the play has received:
Another one! Gareth Fry of #CursedChild wins Best Sound Design, huge congratulations! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/yHefuFvlfF
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"It's a huge responsibility, but more than that a privilege to see audiences so engaged" says @garethfrysound #CursedChild #OlivierAwards
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for Best Sound Design goes to… Gareth Fry! pic.twitter.com/ZIIgaHQaid
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Katrina Lindsay won Best Costume Design, we loved those swishy robes!
#CursedChild's Katrina Lindsay wins Best Costume Design – congratulations! #OlivierAwards @HPPlayLDN https://t.co/8mpbQ0eqxT
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for Best Costume Design goes to… Katrina Lindsay! pic.twitter.com/kAP3EDHtgl
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
That's three of eleven awards for @HPPlayLDN so far! pic.twitter.com/BfY1Rr6Jyk
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Best Set Design went to the amazing Christine Jones, who gave a beautiful speech thanking her various families:
Best Set Design goes to #CursedChild's Christine Jones! @HPPlayLDN #OlivierAwards https://t.co/oNf1Mh9K7V
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design goes to… Christine Jones! pic.twitter.com/8zsbDccn1I
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Christine Jones, set designer of #CursedChild calls @HPPlayLDN a play about "family", thanking her family on set #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/xXjTEbPSh6
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Christine Jones gives teary speech accepting her award. 'This play is about family.' #OlivierAwards #HarryPotter
— WhatsOnStage (@WhatsOnStage) April 9, 2017
We were absolutely thrilled that Anthony Boyle won Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He gave a brilliant speech (regardless of not having prepared) and then went into full Scorpius Malfoy mode in giving a boisterous shout-out to his brother!
Massive congratulations to @antoboyle for Best Actor in a Supporting Role! #CursedChild #OlivierAwards https://t.co/mIl1vBGKWj
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role goes to… @antoboyle! pic.twitter.com/qvkj0N57Sk
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
"I didn't even prepare a speech!" @antoboyle says, thanking Sonia Friedman, his girlfriend, his agent and more #CursedChild #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/DoVoaPxjbo
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The superb @antoboyle talking to the press right after winning Best Supporting Actor #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/6RLyE4JcV6
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Noma Dumezweni went on to win Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
Noma wins Best Actress in a Supporting Role – amazing!! #CursedChild #OlivierAwards https://t.co/fnlQU9WYz3
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role goes to… @MissDumezweni! pic.twitter.com/4JmqjlRY0e
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
She gave a monumental speech about being a refugee in the UK and it being her 40th anniversary in the country. We shed more than a few tears as she thanked J.K. Rowling for creating Hermione and allowing her the immense privilege of portraying her onstage – but of course it’s only too well deserved. Just listen to the power and eloquence of her speech, she’s Hermione through and through!
"Thank you @jk_rowling for creating Hermione". See @MissDumezweni's inspiring speech in the @ITV broadcast, 8pm tomorrow #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/6uKDwZgdJY
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 10, 2017
Noma Dumezweni on winning Best Actress speaks about being a refugee, 40 years celebrating being in the UK #OlivierAwards #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/9eISZ6X8ZZ
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Very emotional Noma Dumezweni talks about arriving in this country as a refugee child. 'I am privileged to do this job' #OlivierAwards
— WhatsOnStage (@WhatsOnStage) April 9, 2017
We are SO proud of @HPPlayLDN for their awards so far, and for @MissDumezweni for that AMAZING speech! #OlivierAwards
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Afterwards, Noma congratulated Anthony Boyle with a huge hug, and shared that she’d love to take her Hermione to Broadway!
…Oh! And here's our Best Supporting Actress @MissDumezweni giving @antoboyle a big hug #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/MjOZYshTtn
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Noma Dumezweni just told us she'd LOVE to take her Hermione to Broadway but nothing has been confirmed yet. #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/Zu9hlUxm9x
— WhatsOnStage (@WhatsOnStage) April 9, 2017
Noma and Jamie Parker (Harry Potter) then helped introduce Cursed Child as a Best New Play nominee, and Zoe Wanamaker (Harry Potter‘s Madam Hooch), who was narrating the event, introduced Elegy as a nominee:
#CursedChild's @DickLeFenwick & @MissDumezweni introduce @HPPlayLDN as Best Play nominee #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/NBifUtmAsu
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
And #HarryPotter's Zoë Wanamaker introduces Best Play nominee #Elegy #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/i5MUmqDHS1
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Jamie Parker then won Best Actor, and gave a brilliant speech thanking Albus and Ginny (Sam Clemmett and Poppy Miller):
Another huge congratulations to #CursedChild's @DickLeFenwick! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/gn8MxtZVr2
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
#CursedChild's @DickLeFenwick says "I don't think I've ever wanted to swear so much in my life" after winning Best Actor #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/KoKCG7bT9y
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
He thanks @Popski_emski & @sam_clemmett (Ginny & Albus) for being 'relentlessly openhearted', wonderful! #CursedChild #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/H2ThQeEy5N
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Noma Dumezweni backstage watching Jamie Parker's acceptance speech, she literally sprinted across the room when he won. #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/Xwl86aVsuA
— WhatsOnStage (@WhatsOnStage) April 9, 2017
Bloody hell @lyngardner what a wonderful thing to write, thank you for saying this, it's exactly what I feel too. https://t.co/vz1eebl1bA
— Jamie Parker (@DickLeFenwick) April 10, 2017
The award for Best New Play was then announced, and of course it went to Cursed Child!
Best Play, obviously, goes to #CursedChild – immensely proud! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/D64HAzthz4
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
The Award for @VirginAtlantic Best New Play goes to… @HPPlayLDN! pic.twitter.com/L45U8DV1Fd
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 9, 2017
Playwright Jack Thorne took to the stage to accept the award, and humbly bowed his head the entire time he gave his acceptance speech about the power of theatre and the contributions of so many people to writing the play, later explaining to Leaky that he was trying ever so hard to keep it together! His speech was excellent and he ended by dedicating the award to his son, who recently turned one year old and was the gift of multiple years of IVF. A heartwarming story that had the audience in tears!
Playwright @jackthorne shares @jk_rowling's wish to be able to apparate to the #OlivierAwards & says #CursedChild was written by many people pic.twitter.com/8yk0AIhLlY
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"This one goes to my son" @jackthorne says after #CursedChild wins Best Play – audience now in tears #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/RMz6Lhlh8l
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
@leaky Thanks Leaky, felt like I did at my wedding, just hold it together, just hold it together – oh no, I didn't hold it together.
— Jack Thorne (@jackthorne) April 10, 2017
My son is one tomorrow. This is the cake I baked him. It's wonky & weird & sugar free, but it's full of love so I thought I'd share. pic.twitter.com/QRNpSAfhdr
— Jack Thorne (@jackthorne) April 6, 2017
Hear from @jackthorne on his musical #Junkyard & working on #CursedChild in our interview with him: https://t.co/2rXBjlGnGS #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/WyuEdQB091
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Jamie Parker and Jack Thorne then spoke more about the play during the interview, and Parker shared how he’d also love to take his Harry across the pond to Broadway:
#CursedChild's @DickLeFenwick & @jackthorne currently in the #OlivierAwards green room interval show! pic.twitter.com/xFI6KKHqsN
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
John Tiffany – nominated twice for Best Director for The Glass Menagerie and Cursed Child – took to the stage to claim Best Director for his work on the Harry Potter play. He thanked the cast and crew, reminded us of the power of theatre, arts and the stage and commented on it being rather odd to be nominated against yourself!
#CursedChild's John Tiffany wins Best Director!! #OlivierAwards https://t.co/wwXI2z3bco
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Tiffany's award was presented by @starwars' @JohnBoyega, who will star in @jackthorne's #Woyzeck at @oldvictheatre pic.twitter.com/gxgjNZes0L
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"Theatre is the most amazing form to tell stories", John Tiffany says upon winning Best Director #OlivierAwards #CursedChild @HPPlayLDN pic.twitter.com/T8p9fBUD9S
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"The power of imagination is infinite, and we need it now more than ever" – John Tiffany #OlivierAwards #CursedChild pic.twitter.com/Gh3BRjF2Iu
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Afterwards, John Tiffany shared an excellent story about knowing J.K. Rowling way back when she was still a single mother writing in a small cafe in Scotland:
John Tiffany Harry Potter oh good lord you are a god @OlivierAwards @HPPlayLDN
— Imogen Heap (@imogenheap) April 9, 2017
That made 9 of 11 awards in total for the Cursed Child team, we couldn’t be more happy or proud of them!
#CursedChild officially won 9 of 11 #OlivierAwards, a wildly successful night that couldn't be more deserved! Congratulations! @HPPlayLDN pic.twitter.com/hzlge3YPsC
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Kenneth Branagh then received the Special Award, recognising his decades of contribution to theatre, tv and film. His speech was a truly inspiring way to round out such an excellent night. Read more about the award here:
Congratulations also to #HarryPotter's Gilderoy Lockhart, Sir Kenneth Branagh, on the Special Award #OlivierAwards https://t.co/OOhomUDtaR pic.twitter.com/94Sux2kUfr
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"Wherever you are, wherever you're from, dream. Dream big […] Kindness is king" – Kenneth Branagh's advice #OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/4ysCPBK2cc
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
"We are in a dangerous world and the necessity of art has never been more certain" – Kenneth Branagh #OlivierAwards
— The Leaky Cauldron (@leaky) April 9, 2017
Kenneth Branagh: 'I was inspired to dream and my advice to everyone is: dream big. There are no mistakes only lessons.' #OlivierAwards
— WhatsOnStage (@WhatsOnStage) April 9, 2017
Sonia Friedman shared a photo of her and John Tiffany on the night:
A happy John Tiffany and me at #OlivierAwards2017.,A truly memorable and beautiful night. #sf pic.twitter.com/cfDMif6SPx
— Sonia Friedman Prods (@SFP_London) April 10, 2017
Lin Manuel also shared a photo with Friedman and Tom Stoppard:
Legends Sonia Friedman, Tom Stoppard pic.twitter.com/PedE0ZvrTf
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 9, 2017
Neil Blair – J.K. Rowling’s agent – shared a lovely congratulations to the team:
Many congrats Jo – so proud of you and all the team @jk_rowling @SFP_London @jackthorne @johntiffany @MissDumezweni @DickLeFenwick xxx https://t.co/do8Sybe99W
— Neil Blair (@NeilBlairTBP) April 9, 2017
Cherrelle Skeete (Rose Weasley) – after tweeting throughout the night – shared her excitement for the after party at the Rosewood in Covent Garden, along with Chris Jarman (sorting hat / prop man):
#Olivier After Party Vibes.
9 awards won and almost 15 months of magic to celebrate… https://t.co/BryVMNXUNU— Cherrelle (@CherrelleSkeete) April 9, 2017
History made @HPPlayLDN #OlivierAwards wins 9 3/4 awards chuffed to bits for all our nominees & winners pic.twitter.com/exWH0jEAWJ
— Chris Jarman (@ChrisJarman2) April 9, 2017
And here’s Tom Milligan (James Potter’s) photo of him, Sam Clemmett (Albus Severus), Jeremy Jones and Paul Thornley in the background assumedly on the way to the afterparty!
😬😬😬😬😬😬😬😬 @JeremyAngJones @sam_clemmett pic.twitter.com/EPLoDsvBQ2
— Tom Milligan (@mistermilligan) April 9, 2017
And J.K. Rowling herself took to Twitter to congratulate the cast and crew:
I couldn't be more delighted for our immensely talented cast and creative team. Wish I could have been there. Thank you #OlivierAwards! 😃⭐️ https://t.co/52koaCdjdn
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 9, 2017
A massive congratulations to the cast and crew of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! Here’s hoping for equal success at the Tony Awards when the show moves across the Atlantic in the (hopefully) near future. We loved watching the show break records, and most importantly loved seeing theatre get the recognition it deserves! We so enjoyed covering the event live, so a massive thank you to The Hospital Club in London and the Olivier Awards for kindly inviting us to their live screening. Potter reigns on!
Wondering why Cursed Child won so many awards? Our review explains it all, so read more here.