Plays weren’t the only big winners of Sunday night, the Olivier Awards 2014 with MasterCard also celebrated the biggest, best and – in the case of this year’s big winner The Book Of Mormon – most controversial musicals to have graced the London stage in the past year.
We were backstage to find out what it meant for the casts and creative teams behind these musical productions to take home one of London theatre’s most coveted prizes.
Stephen Ashfield, winner of Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for The Book Of Mormon
How does it feel to win?
I feel quite emotional. Never in a million years do you think when you’re in a category like that with so many outstanding nominees that your name’s going to be called out. Just to be nominated is amazing. I’m thrilled. I can’t believe I’m holding this.
The Book Of Mormon was nominated for a lot of awards tonight. How does that feel?
It’s great that people have taken The Book Of Mormon to the heart because you’re never guaranteed that. Audiences have come and listened, and we love the fact that they’ve loved it.
What do the Olivier Awards mean to you?
It’s always been that thing on a pedestal. The Olivier Awards. It’s not something you set out to win, but once you’re actually there it’s phenomenal. I’m so honoured.
Jared Gertner and Alexia Khadime, cast members from The Book Of Mormon, winner of Best New Musical
How does this feel?
Gertner: I’m so excited. This could have gone any way because all those shows are so good. We just feel really proud. It’s the big one and it feels so great that London embraced us.
How different has it been performing in the West End in comparison to Broadway?
Gertner: The talent level here, the commitment and the love of the art form, is exactly the same. I love the audiences because they sit forward in their seats and really listen to you and listen to the words. I appreciate that in an audience.
What do the Olivier Awards mean to you?
Khadime: To have such a prestige of an award, Best New Musical, I can’t tell you, it says so much. It’s such a big honour.
Glen Hansard, joint winner of Outstanding Achievement in Music for Once – music & lyrics
How does it feel to win?
It feels brilliant. It was 10 years ago that we wrote these songs for a film and to see this go on and have the life it’s had, it’s incredible.
Having originated the role on film, how does it feel to see other people take on that role on stage?
The biggest compliment that any musician can get is that your song continues to be sung. If you think about all the songwriters in the world whose songs are still being played and still being sung by other people, that’s the greatest compliment. The fact that the songs are living is huge.
Paul Pyant, joint winner of Best Lighting Design alongside Jon Driscoll for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, and Tim Lutkin and Finn Ross for Chimerica
How do you feel to have won?
It hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s quite remarkable. I’m absolutely shocked. It’s wonderful, absolutely glorious.
How did you feel when you found out it was a double award?
This is obviously a new thing: doing multiple winners for the same award, but I’m all for it, this is awesome! It’s very important at the moment because of the symbiosis going on between lighting and projection, and considering both shows had that lighting and projection together, it’s wonderful.
Nick Allott, producer of Les Misérables, winner of the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award
Congratulations to have won…
Thank you, it’s absolutely fantastic. The great thing about Les Mis is when I think of all the shows that Cameron Mackintosh has done, and I’ve worked with Cameron for 33 years, it’s the one that I never ever tire of seeing. It has the same power, the same impact now as it did 30 years ago. The fact now that in places like Ukraine they’re singing Do You Hear The People Sing? it’s just a show with huge impact. I’m thrilled that audiences voted for it again.
Is it particularly special to win this award given that it’s voted for entirely by the public?
Yes, of course. It’s the one genuinely that really really really matters, because it’s the one that lasts. The fact is that after 30 years we haven’t got an empty seat.
Gavin Creel, winner of Best Actor in a Musical for The Book Of Mormon
How do you feel to have won?
It sounds so clichéd, but I’m totally overwhelmed. I kind of don’t remember what just happened. This is embarrassingly one of those things that you’re sat in your kitchen watching awards ceremonies and imagining as a kid. I literally feel like I’m about seven-years-old right now. I can’t believe my name is on there [points to award]! It’s amazing, wow!
How does it feel to have come from the US production and have found such success here?
To be honest, it’s my third show here in London and I love this town and I’ll come back as many times as they’ll have me. I don’t need one of these every time, but I love it here.
Zrinka Cvitešić – Best Actress in a Musical
Congratulations, how are you feeling?
It’s unbelievable, it’s just unbelievable. I think the whole country of Croatia will be pleased.
Is it particularly special to win for this role?
Yes. I think it’s one of the most beautiful stories of this century. It’s like Doctor Zhivago of the 21st century. You can’t ask for anything more on stage.
And will you come back to the West End?
I would love to. In musicals my dreams are [playing] Satine in Moulin Rouge and Evita. I’m learning Spanish as we speak so…
David Babani, Artistic Director of the Menier Chocolate Factory, and Maria Friedman, director of Merrily We Roll Along, winner of Best Musical Revival
How are you feeling to have won?
Babani: Elated, I think this is extraordinary.
How important were the company to the success of this production?
Friedman: Completely. Every part of the musical is important and that’s the stuff you see, but everything behind the scenes is equally important.
What does an Olivier Award win mean to you?
Babani: It’s a really lovely thing to be bestowed with and says that all the great work that a huge amount of people did is recognised. What’s not lovely about that?
