- In |
- On April 1, 2025
Last week, we talked musicals; this week, we have the low down for London Plays you can still book tickets for. This years Olivier Award Ceremony will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 6th April. With so many great shows this year nominated, this list will walk you through London Plays that you can book in ahead of one of the biggest nights in the theatrical calendar.
Firstly, what are the Olivier Awards?
This year marks the Olivier Awards 40th anniversary since celebrated actor Sir Laurence Olivier gave his name to the ceremony. The Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours. To celebrate this auspicious event, the hosts are none other than the iconic Billy Porter and Beverley Knight. Beverley Knight started her career as a singer for which she has been nominated for a variety of awards. Following her successful singing career, she stepped onto the theatre’s stage, most recently in the lead role in Sister Act which closed last year. In fact, she herself has won an Olivier Award in 2023 for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.
Also hosting this evening celebrating London Plays and Musicals is Billy Porter. Porter is currently playing the highly coveted role of Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. He is a huge name both on our screens and stages. He is awarded with many accolades including Grammy, Emmys and Tony Awards to name a few.
Which London Plays With Nominations Can I Book?
Giant – Total Nominations 5
Harold Pinter Theatre, now booking from 26th April – 2nd August 2025
Following a sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre, the award-winning American actor John Lithgow (Conclave, The Crown) plays Roald Dahl. The show follows the world-famous children’s author under threat in the wake of scandal and his one chance to make amends. Written by Mark Rosenblatt, the 5-star reviewed production is transferring to The Harold Pinter Theatre with Lithgow reprising his role. Lithgow is nominated for Best Actor for his role in this production. He is already the owner of 6 Emmy and 2 Golden Globe Awards to name a few. Also, co-star Elliot Levey has been nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Levey won his first Olivier back in 2022 for his role as Herr Shultz in Cabaret.
Its third nomination is for Romola Garai. She is nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Spoiler Alert: This is not her only nomination this year. The show’s director Nicholas Hytner has directed countless amounts of London Plays and was even the director of the National Theatre for 12 years. His direction of this production has won him a nomination for this year in the Best Direction category. The show’s 5th and final nomination at this years’ awards is for Best Play! Giant is the most nominated show at this year’s Olivier Awards.
The Years – Total Nominations 4
Harold Pinter Theatre, now booking until 19th April 2025
Based on Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s memoires, The Years is an unapologetic portrait of a woman shaped by her rapidly-changing world. Writer, mother, student, activist, wife, daughter, lover, grandmother… each vivid version of Annie is told through a series of snapshots. The Years is at The Harold Pinter currently following a successful run at the Almeida Theatre. It’s first nomination is for Best Play. For those of you who enjoy the technical spectacle of London Plays, this show has another nomination you could appreciate. It has a nomination for Best Sound Design by Thijs van Vuure.
Interestingly, the next 2 nominations the show has are within the same category. Remember Romola Garai? Well this is her second nomination this year for Best Actress in a Supporting Role meaning she takes half the nominations in this category. Her cast mate Gina McKee has also been nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting role this year. Mckee is probably best known for her role in the classic film Notting Hill. She is already the owner of a BAFTA, maybe this year she can add an Olivier to the collection.
Kyoto – Total Nominations 2
The Soho Place Theatre, now booking until 3rd May 2025
Based on the Kyoto Climate Conference in 1997. This timely political thriller sees the nations of the world are in deadlock and 11 hours have passed since the UN’s landmark climate conference should have ended. Time is running out and agreement feels a world away. The greatest obstacle: American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman. Brought to you by the RSC and following a critically acclaimed run in Stratford-upon-Avon, Kyoto has been nominated for Best Play.
The second nomination Kyoto has received goes to Jorge Bosch for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Bosch plays Raul Estrada-Oyuela, the Argentine chair of the Kyoto talks. He is a well known Spanish Actor and this is his first Olivier Award Nomination.
London Plays That Already Have An Olivier Award Under Their Belt
Olivier Awards are highly coveted across the global theatrical scene. Whilst plays generally run for a shorter time in the West End than its musical counterparts, there are some previously award winning London Plays which have stood the test of time and you can still catch in town.
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child wins 9
The Palace Theatre now booking until 15th February 2026
The 2017 Olivier Awards saw a record breaking number of 9 wins not to mention its record breaking 11 nominations too! The show has been open for 8 years and has welcomed over 2 million audience members in that time. The show is in 2 parts which you see within one day so it’s a full day of theatre. A shorter 1 part version has opened in various locations across the globe but it’s only here in London that you can see the original, record breaking, Olivier Award winning production.
The story takes place 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world. This time, they are joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow wins 2
The Phoenix Theatre, now booking until 7th September 2025
Created by the same production team as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Stranger Things: The First Shadow won 2 Olivier Awards in 2024. The Awards were for Best Set Design and Best Entertainment Show. The show is well renowned for its visual effects and has been thrilling audiences.
Based on the hit Netflix Series, this gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end.
The Play That Goes Wrong, wins 1
The Duchess Theatre, now booking until 1st February 2026
The Play That Goes Wrong is one of the funniest London Plays around. In fact, its the longest running comedy play in the West End. It was the winner of Best New Comedy play back in 2015 and have had audiences laughing ever since.
At LSBO one of the questions we get asked a lot is: What’s that about? It literally does what it says on the tin! A group of accident-prone thespians at The Cornley Drama Society, are given a classic murder mystery play and everything that can go wrong… does! The actors and crew battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!
