Harry Potter and the Cursed Child breaks Olivier Award nominations record

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child has become the most nominated new play in Olivier Awards history.

The stage production, a sequel to J.K. Rowling's popular Harry Potter novels and movies, received 11 mentions on Monday (06Mar17), making it the most nominated new play ever and the joint record holder for the most nominated production alongside Hairspray for its 2008 West End run.

Harry Potter's nominations include Best New Play, Best Actor for Jamie Parker, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Anthony Boyle, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Noma Dumezweni and Best Director for John Tiffany, as well as nods in technical categories.

Parker will go up against Ian McKellen, who scored his 10th nomination for his role in No Man's Land, Ed Harris (Buried Child) and Tom Hollander (Travesties), while nominees for Best Actor in a Musical include David Fynn (School of Rock), Andy Karl (Groundhog Day), Charlie Stemp (Half a Sixpence) and Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar).

Former Glee star Amber Riley landed a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Effie White in London stage adaptation of Dreamgirls and will go up against Glenn Close for Sunset Boulevard, "The Girls" from The Girls, and Sheridan Smith for Funny Girl.

She took to Instagram to express her excitement, writing, "It feels like my heart just dropped into my butt what is happening?!?!? This is so crazy!!!! I'm so grateful and happy, and confused lol aaaaaahhhhhh Olivier Nominee!!!!!! God is good faith and trust always."

For drama, the Best Actress accolade will be a tough battle between Ruth Wilson (Hedda Gabler), Billie Piper (Yerma), Glenda Jackson (King Lear) and Cherry Jones (The Glass Menagerie).

Other Best New Play nominees include The Flick, Elegy, One Night in Miami, while the Best Revival shortlist includes Travesties, Yerma, The Glass Menagerie and This House.

Groundhog Day, the leading musical with eight nominations, received a nod for Best New Musical alongside The Girls, Dreamgirls and School of Rock, while Funny Girl, Jesus Christ Superstar, Show Boat and Sunset Boulevard complete the Best Musical Revival shortlist.

And Sir Kenneth Branagh will be honored during the ceremony for his outstanding contribution to the theater.

The 2017 Olivier Awards take place on 9 April (17) at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The main list of nominees are as follows:

Best Actor:

Ed Harris - Buried Child

Tom Hollander - Travesties

Ian McKellen - No Man’s Land

Jamie Parker - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Best Actress:

Billie Piper - Yerma

Glenda Jackson - King Lear

Cherry Jones - The Glass Menagerie

Ruth Wilson - Hedda Gabler

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Anthony Boyle - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Freddie Fox - Travesties

Brian J. Smith - The Glass Menagerie

Rafe Spall - Hedda Gabler

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

The cast of Our Ladies Of Perpetual Succour

Noma Dumezweni - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Clare Foster - Travesties

Kate O’Flynn - The Glass Menagerie

Best New Play:

Elegy

The Flick

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

One Night In Miami…

Best Revival:

The Glass Menagerie

This House

Travesties

Yerma

Best New Comedy:

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery

Nice Fish

Our Ladies Of Perpetual Succour

The Truth

Best Actress in a Musical:

Glenn Close - Sunset Boulevard

The cast of The Girls

Amber Riley - Dreamgirls

Sheridan Smith - Funny Girl

Best Actor in a Musical:

David Fynn - School of Rock

Tyrone Huntley - Jesus Christ Superstar

Andy Karl - Groundhog Day

Charlie Stemp - Half A Sixpence

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Adam J. Bernard - Dreamgirls

Ian Bartholomew - Half a Sixpence

Ben Hunter - The Girls

Andrew Langtree - Groundhog Day

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Emma Williams - Half a Sixpence

Rebecca Trehearn - Show Boat

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt - Murder Ballad

Haydn Gwynne - The Threepenny Opera

Mastercard Best New Musical:

Dreamgirls

The Girls

Groundhog Day

School of Rock

Best Musical Revival:

Funny Girl

Jesus Christ Superstar

Show Boat

Sunset Boulevard

Best Director:

Simon Stone - Yerma

John Tiffany - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

John Tiffany - The Glass Menagerie

Matthew Warchus - Groundhog Day