The 36-year-old,who is best known for playing Shiv Roy in the hit TV show about a dysfunctional family fighting for control of their media empire,was nominated for best actress alongsideSex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker forPlaza Suite,the 1968 Neil Simon play where she is appearing opposite her husband Matthew Broderick.
The Olivier Awards,named in honour of legendary British actor Sir Laurence Olivier,are recognised internationally as the highest honour in British theatre,equivalent to Broadway’s Tony Awards.
Many television,film and music stars received recognition,includingHappy Valley star James Norton forA Little Life;American singer,songwriter,dancer and actress Nicole Scherzinger forSunset Boulevard;Doctor Who’s David Tennant for his portrayal of Macbeth;andFleabag’s Andrew Scott forVanya.
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In the play,originally performed by Eryn-Jean Norvill in the Australian production,Snook plays 26 characters surrounded by a camera crew,so her performance can be beamed onto overhead screens. The Australian production with Norvill wowed critics in Sydney and Melbourne,while Snook has been hailed by Fleet Street as a “chameleonic tour de force” and a performer of “exceptional pluck and mercurial power”.
“I’m pretty stoked,yeah,just a bit overwhelmed,” the Adelaide-born actress told the BBC on learning of her nomination. “Australia’s asleep so I haven’t called my parents yet to tell them. I’m excited when they wake up to give them a call.”
Marg Horwell – a multi-award-winning theatre,opera and film designer – secured the play’s only other nomination for best costume design,with the production itself overlooked as well as Williams.