The nominations have been announced for the 61st London Standard Theatre Awards for 2015, with seven nominations for the National Theatre across six categories ahead of the Royal Court's five nominations and the Donmar Warehouse's four.
There are international stars such as Nicole Kidman and Ralph Fiennes on the shortlist alongside other stars of the UK stage and screen such as Simon Russell Beale, James McAvoy, Imelda Staunton and Lia Williams.
There will be three musical categories for the first time this year. In addition to the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, there is now a Best Musical Performance category and one for Newcomer in a Musical.
As well as the announced categories, there will be special presentations for the Editor’s Award for an individual or organisation's outstanding contribution to theatre, the Lebedev Award for a writer, performer, director or institution for a specific piece of work or as a lifetime achievement award and the Beyond the Theatre Award for a performance, event or production beyond the realms of the stage.
London Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev said, “this fantastic shortlist bears witness to the fact that Londoners are living through a theatrical golden age. With ground-breaking director-led seasons, visionary new writing dominating the West End and the world's finest thespian talent queuing up to perform here, London's theatre scene is the envy of the world.”
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Old Vic in London on Sunday 22 November hosted by Rob Brydon with Evgeny Lebedev, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen.
The full nominations are:
Best Actor
- Simon Russell Beale, Temple, Donmar Warehouse
- Kenneth Cranham, The Father, Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theatre
- Ralph Fiennes, Man and Superman, National Theatre’s Lyttelton
- James McAvoy, The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios
Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress:
- Denise Gough, People, Places and Things, National Theatre’s Dorfman
- Nicole Kidman, Photograph 51, Noël Coward Theatre
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nell Gwynn, Shakespeare’s Globe
- Lia Williams, Oresteia, Almeida Theatre & Trafalgar Studios
Best Play:
- The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Stephen Adly Guirgis), National Theatre’s Lyttelton
- Hangmen (Martin McDonagh) Royal Court
- The Father (Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton) Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theatre
Milton Shulman Award for Best Director:
- Robert Icke, Oresteia, Almeida Theatre & Trafalgar Studios
- Jamie Lloyd, Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory
- Indhu Rubasingham, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, National Theatre’s Lyttelton
Best Design:
- Anna Fleischle, Hangmen, Royal Court
- Tim Hatley, Temple, Donmar Warehouse
- Robert Jones, City of Angels, Donmar Warehouse
Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright:
- Molly Davies, God Bless the Child, Royal Court Upstairs
- Alistair McDowall, Pomona, Orange Tree Theatre & National Theatre’s Temporary Space
- Diana Nneka Atuona, Liberian Girl, Royal Court Upstairs (Peckham & Tottenham pop up venues)
Emerging Talent Award in Partnership with Burberry:
- Calvin Demba, The Red Lion, National Theatre’s Dorfman
- Patsy Ferran, Treasure Island, National Theatre’s Olivier
- David Moorst, Violence and Son, Royal Court Upstairs
Best Musical Performance:
- Katie Brayben, Beautiful, Aldwych Theatre
- Rosalie Craig, City of Angels, Donmar Warehouse
- Killian Donnelly, Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre
- Imelda Staunton, Gypsy, Savoy Theatre
Newcomer in a Musical:
- Gemma Arterton, Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre
- Ellie Bamber, High Society, Old Vic
- Natalie Dew, Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre
Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical (voted for by the public)
- Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory
- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Aldwych Theatre
- Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre
- Gypsy, Savoy Theatre
- Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre