Hull teenager scoops Olivier nomination for The Girls musical

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, at the Palace Theatre in London, has become the most nominated new play in Olivier history.

Ben Hunter, 18, has been shortlisted as best supporting actor in a musical, in London’s Olivier Awards, which will be presented next month.

The show itself, which opened in the West End last month after a 2015 premiere at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, is nominated as best new musical, and six cast members share a best actress nomination.

Hunter, a former Hull Collegiate pupil, plays the son of one of the principal characters in the show, adapted as The Girls by Barlow and musician Tim Firth from the true story of a group of Yorkshire Daleswomen who appeared nude for a WI calendar to raise funds for their local hospital.

Today’s nominations also saw Harry Potter And The Cursed Child has becoming the most nominated new play in Olivier history.

The production received nominations in 11 categories including best director, best new play and outstanding achievement in music for next month’s awards.

In the best actor category, Jamie Parker, who plays Potter in the sequel to JK Rowling’s books, is up against Buried Child actor Ed Harris, Travesties star Tom Hollander and six-time winner Sir Ian McKellen who receives his 10th nomination.

The musical Groundhog Day, which opened on Broadway this month, receives eight nominations while Andrew Lloyd-Webber, as a composer, collects three nominations for three separate shows, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and School Of Rock The Musical.

Former Labour MP Glenda Jackson’s role in King Lear sees her up for her first Olivier since 1984 in the best actress category.

Jackson will go up against former Doctor Who actress Billie Piper, who has received rave reviews for her performance in the title role of Yerma, The Glass Menagerie’s Cherry Jones and Hedda Gabler’s Ruth Wilson.

Julian Bird, executive producer of the Olivier Awards said: “In a year of global change, the nominees for this year’s awards demonstrate London theatre’s ability to challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and entertain us.

“From new British plays and musicals, to reinventions of well-known titles, the Oliviers proudly celebrate an extraordinary range of acting and creative talent.”

The nominations were announced by former winners Denise Gough and Matt Henry.