OLIVIER AWARDS 2016: Jenny Ell's Picks

In any awards ceremony, there is always one category that is almost a dead cert. Sometimes I resent the fact that this is the case and really feel for those others in the category who quite frankly don't stand a chance; even though they too worked their socks off to get the nomination. The category I'm referring to this year is Best Actress in a Musical. This time, however, I'm not the least bit indignant that the clear cut winner for many is Imelda Staunton, for playing the lead role in Gypsy. Having sadly missed her perform as Mama Rose live, I jumped for joy when hearing that BBC4 would be filming the production and adding it to their Christmas TV schedule. The sheer emotion and truthfulness that radiates from Staunton throughout the two-hour show is indescribable and her 'Rose's Turn' quite astonishing. If her performance moved me to tears in my living room, what would it have been like in reality? The joy of the recording was that I, along with thousands of viewers, had the best seat in the house; to witness one of the best actresses of our generation. It will be a travesty if the unfathomable happens and she doesn't lift the Olivier this year. Tracie Bennett, Natalie Dew, Laura Pitt-Pulford and Sophie Thompson - I applaud you, but this is Staunton's time.

I'd also love for Mischief Theatre to do the double and pick up the award again for Best New Comedy for Peter Pan Goes Wrong and the talented company of Showstopper! The Improvised Musical to be acknowledged in the Best Entertainment and Family category.

The Olivier Awards take place on Sunday 3rd April at the Royal Opera House in London - follow our LIVE coverage all night, and at @BroadwayWorldUK on Twitter!

Photo credit: Johan Persson

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