Lots of style but little surprise at this year's Tony awards; though it was a pretty good year for the Brits.
This weekend saw the advent of the 65th annual Tony Awards in New York hosted by beloved cult icon Neil Patrick Harris. It proved to be a huge night for British Theatre featuring the usual assortment of famous faces, with Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, and Don Cheadle making appearances.
Controversial musical The Book of Mormon, penned by the creators of South Park, predictably swept the board, taking home nine Tonys, including one for best musical. Two acclaimed British productions went head to head for best new play, War Horse and Jerusalem, with War Horse taking the win, which was disappointing but not entirely surprising. It went on to earn itself five Tonys in total.
The play has had an overwhelmingly successful Broadway run, and cleaning up at this year's Tonys has already prompted discussions of a 20-city US tour in the near future. There's also a War Horse film in production, thanks to legendary director/producer Steven Spielberg.
Although the night was a glitzy, glamorous, entertaining event, thanks greatly to the undeniable charisma Harris brings to his hosting duties, it was also somewhat banal and predictable. The plays expected to win, won, and there were no great upsets to speak of.
Even the most interesting aspect of the night was a repeat act, when perpetually puzzling thespian Mark Rylance took to the podium after winning Best Actor and once again decided to forgo a victory speech. Instead he opted to read extracts from the works of the obscure Minnesota poet Louis Jenkins, just as he had done two years previously when he won the Tony for his role in Boeing-Boeing.
"Unlike flying or astral projection, walking through walls is a totally earth-related craft, but a lot more interesting than pot making or driftwood lamps."
We're not sure how you feel about that, but we think it's a damn-sight more interesting than "I'd like to thank my mum" or "I'd like to thank Kristin Chenoweth's mum."
Click here for more Fringe Theatre in London
Click here for Theatre in London
Click here for Things to do in London
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...