The Laurence Olivier Awards 2009 — Page 6

Again another director from the play genre to win an Oliver

Thought Terry Johnson might win this one,for La Cage or Emma Rice for Brief Encounter.

Was Black Watch better than August?

Having seen both, I'd say yes. As far as it's possible to compare two such very different works. Black Watch was a triumph of theatre, encompassing acting, movement, sound, and delivering an absolutely devastating truth to stunned audiences. August: Osage County was frickin' awesome, and also did its part to deliver devastating truths, but while it would probably deservedly come top any other year, it's impossible for anything to compete with the near-perfection delivered by Black Watch. :3

August: Osage County came from America, did well at the Tonys, didn't do so well at the Oliviers. Sunday in the Park with George (revival) came from the UK, did well at the Oliviers, didn't do so well at the Tonys. These things balance out. Plus I'm sure they must've taken into consideration that August: Osage County didn't originate in the UK and was transported in its entirety from the US; it was frickin' awesome, but hardly a triumph of British theatre. So while it was frickin' awesome, I'm not exactly hugely sad it's not getting anywhere tonight.

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I'm indifferent between JB and Zorro but am surprised it went the way it did.

I don't know whether August was snubbed...i think it was more a case of Black Watch was clearly a strong favourite on the comittee...either that or the Olivier Comittee got together with the Cast and Production of Balck Watch and had a big theatre fueled orgy.

All these awards and no one can actually go and see Black Watch can they? it has closed hasnt it?

I secretly think that the comittee is the cast of the Sunday in the Park revival and this is their way of getting back at America for the Tony awards :P

"Yes, Scrippsy. The point is: Black Watch was the finest single theatrical production in the UK for the entirety of 2008."

Yeah - OK Chuckles - if I think back to my post in our review of the year I mentioned Black Watch but didn't mention August. And you make good points about Sunday and commercialism too.

And that's why I respect the Olivir Awards even though I think SoLT is asleep at the wheel.

No surprise for me for Jersey Boys, I thought the stunning Marguerite deserved it, but only problem I was the only one to like it.

My mum found this site and was following the whole awards show, so I couldn't post..
Anyway, yay for Elena Roger =) But, out of curiosity, when did Jersey Boys become so disliked? For a good many months I didn't hear a bad word about it, then suddenly it's overrated or whatever? I genuinely think it's a good show, I love it, I loved Zorro too, but y'know, I think JB did deserve it!

Also, I hadn't heard of Black Watch before tonight, what was it like? It was in the play category but won choreography? (Hope I got that right!)

Also Weez, should of/have is one of my pet peeves sad =)

I think the hate started around the time when it won best Set Design at the WOS Awards Sparkles :) haha. No i think it's more a case of wanting a british musical to conquer the big, scary, Tony winning, American one. Unfortunately Goliath won this time round.

"out of curiosity, when did Jersey Boys become so disliked?"

I don't know but when Mama arrives there'll be hell to pay.

I used too many smilies there.