娱乐英语资讯:Harry Potter stage play casts spell over Londons West End with record nominations

LONDON, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the first ever stage production based on J.K. Rowling's famous wizard boy, picked up a record 11 nominations on Monday at the city's Olivier Awards.

The production, which opened last year to rave reviews, has won more nominations than any other new show in the history of the Oliviers which started in 1976.

The Oliviers, named after celebrated actor Sir Laurence Olivier, are the most prestigious theater awards in Britain.

The winners will be announced on April 9 at a red-carpet event at Royal Albert Hall.

The production has been nominated as best new play, John Tiffany is nominated as best director, and Jamie Parker who plays an adult Harry Potter is nominated as best actor. Noma Dumezweni has been nominated for her role as Potter's sidekick Hermione and Anthony Boyle is in the running for best supporting actor for his role as Scorpius Malfoy. Other nominations are for outstanding achievement in music, best theater choreographer, lighting design, sound design, set design and costume design.

The musical Groundhog Day, opening this month on New York's Broadway, has received eight Olivier nominations.

Celebrated theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber has received nominations for three separate shows, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar and School Of Rock The Musical.

After 29 years, pantomime's return to its London home sees the world famous London Palladium theater recognized with nominations for Cinderella.

And in a triumphant return to the theater stage in Shakespeare's King Lear, Glenda Jackson receives her first nomination since 1984. The former actress-turned-politician served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons until 2015 when she resumed her acting career.