Imelda Staunton News

UK editor in chief Carrie Dunn follows the Oliviers Party in the Piazza, red carpet and the ceremony, and gives her opinions on the runners and riders...

It's time for the 2013 Olivier Awards - we'll be updating live with all the winners in all the categories!

The nominations have been announced for the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards, which will take place on Sunday 12 May at London's Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Graham Norton.

Two of musical theatre's biggest worldwide stars Matthew Morrison and Idina Menzel will be giving special solo performances at the 2013 Oliviers, while Michael Xavier will be co-presenting from the BBC Radio 2 Stage in the Covent Garden Piazza.

Today we are talking to the originator of Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES onstage and a preeminent Phantom (and the first to actually play the role) in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA who has clearly made a major mark with his performances in the theatre - not to mention his work on the original concept albums of EVITA and JEKYLL & HYDE - who now makes the leap to the big screen in his featured role in the super-successful feature film iteration of the Claude-Michel Schonberg/Alain Boublil musical based on the Victor Hugo novel - the titanically talented Colm Wilkinson. Opening up about his work in the original Royal Shakespeare Company production of LES MISERABLES and his collaboration with the creative team and cast of actors as well as his association with producer Cameron Mackintosh, director Trevor Nunn and more, Wilkinson details the finer points of creating one of the modern musical theatre's most memorable characters, from his first audition through to the West End, Broadway and beyond. Additionally, Wilkinson reveals all about shooting the feature film version, with Broadway/Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman taking over the leading role and whether he would consider taking on another character in the show after having essaying Jean Valjean onstage and the Monsignor onscreen - maybe Javert? Plus, Wilkinson shares backstage stories involving fellow theatrical luminaries like Trevor Nunn, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more in this career-spanning conversation with one of the mega-musical era's most major of stars - - all of that and much, much more awaits!

The National Theatre's production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time leads the list with eight nominations, followed by the toe-tapping new musical Top Hat receiving seven, and the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of Sweeney Todd in close competition with six. Other stand-out nominations include The Audience and Kiss Me, Kate receiving five each, and Constellations, The Bodyguard and Twelfth Night with four.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year Competition (SSSSPOTY), now in its seventh year, was created to give musical theatre students a platform to showcase their work before graduation.

South Bend Civic Theatre bets on fun with Guys and Dolls tonight, March 1-17.

Olivier Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist and popular TV host and radio presenter Michael Ball sang 'Love Changes Everything' from ASPECTS OF LOVE backstage at BBC Radio 2 recently - view the performance below!

Broadway veteran Michael Ball will release a new studio album, also titled 'Both Sides Now' in addition to launching a UK tour in spring 2013. Both the tour and the album will comprise of 2 halves, encompassing Michael's biggest hits from both his recorded and stage careers including 'Suddenly' from the new film version of LES MISERABLES and 'The Perfect Song' by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Broadway veteran Michael Ball will release his new studio album, titled 'Both Sides Now', on February 25, 2013, in addition to launching a UK tour this spring. Both the tour and the album will comprise of 2 halves, encompassing Michael's biggest hits from both his recorded and stage careers. Really Useful Group Tweeted today: 'Yup you heard right, @OfficialALW has written a new song for@mrmichaelball's new album!' Preview Andrew Lloyd Webber's tune, 'The Perfect Song', HERE!

South Bend Civic Theatre bets on fun with Guys and Dolls March 1-17.

Michael Ball is set to perform at Shanghai Grand Theater's February 14 Gala, the theatre has announced. He will be joined by Laura Michelle Kelly for his first performance in China.

THE MUPPETS 2 is now dated for March 21, 2014, Disney announced today. To make room for their second outing, the studio has also bumped Angelina Jolei's MALEFICENT from the same date, to July 2, 2014.

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith and Harry Melling, airs as the "ABC Today Movie of the Week," TONIGHT, DECEMBER 30 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

As we move into the last days of December, we asked our team of reviewers to give us their highlights - and lowlights - of 2012. Here are the thoughts of two of our team - Jenny Antill and Becky Brewis!

Check out the full list of winners!

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith and Harry Melling, airs as the "ABC Sunday Movie of the Week," DECEMBER 30 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.