I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....

Haven't seen it yet (catching up with it tomorrow), but I was surprised too. Do you think the fact that OMTG is an adaptation of an already existing classic play might have been a factor? (serious question)

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I think the big problem is that so much of the show is unscripted. It was probably very difficult for the nominating committee to separate the play itself from James' performance and Hytner's direction.

I actually was not surprised One Man, Two Guvnors was overlooked. It's not a great play and I found the second act it ran out of steam. The cast is delightful. I also found the endless musical interludes tedious in order to make scenery changes. I know a lot of people find it hysterically funny but I was very disappointed. I think I was expected too much with all the advance hype.

***POSSIBLE SPOLERS****

Bliss is mostly correct. The bits that SEEM improvisational are not, but bits that are interchangeable and used all the time. But yes, Corden does them beautifully.

The word is that the producers killed chances at this being nominated when they tried to get this classified as a revival, so that it would have a better chance to win. Supposedly, that pissed off the nominating committee. At first, I thought that sounded ridiculous, but I've seen that claim in a number of places, and it makes more sense now that it has sunk in.

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(didn't I just say that?)

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VENUS IN FUR is an incredibly clever play and very well written. I'm not at all shocked it got a nomination. I would, however, have nominated just about anything over the criminally overrated OTHER DESERT CITIES.

Actually, this isn't quite true. I don't want to give too much away, but after having seen the show twice, I discovered/confirmed much of the seemingly unscripted bits are actually scripted. The beauty is that James Corden is so great in this role, he makes you believe those moments are unscripted (which made those moments so hilarious to me the first time around).

and

***POSSIBLE SPOLERS****

Bliss is mostly correct. The bits that SEEM improvisational are not, but bits that are interchangeable and used all the time. But yes, Corden does them beautifully.

Guys... I know this. I was the one telling everyone else this weeks ago after the first preview. I read the play while I was in London last summer after seeing it the first time. I wasn't referring to the gag bits with the "audience" interaction. I was referring to James' one-liner asides to the audience. "That would have killed in Britain" for instance. But yes, I suppose I should have said "so much of the show SEEMS unscripted" instead of "is unscripted" to make everyone happy. But what you both said is exactly my point as to why it wasn't nominated.

I seriously thought I was the only person who thought OTHER DESERT CITIES was an overhyped BORE. Thank God I'm not alone. It DOES get better!

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Updated On: 5/2/12 at 11:12 AM

Best Play is BOTH the 'best play' and the 'best production of a play' which is why both the playwright(s) and the producers win the award. As opposed to Best Musical which is actually 'Best Production of a Musical,' since the score and the book are recognized separately.