With the nominations well and truly out in the open, it’s now time to get predicting who will win! Last year I only did prediction for the main acting and show categories but this year I’m going to attempt to predict some of the technical categories as well. Just a disclaimer, I haven’t seen every single performance nominated but will be judging based on critical acclaim as well!

Code: Bold for my predicted winner.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL

Jonathan Bailey for Company at Gielgud Theatre

Clive Carter for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre

Richard Fleeshman for Company at Gielgud Theatre

Robert Hands for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre

Now, I know this is probably going to seem incredibly biased because I’ve been a huge fan of Jonathan Bailey’s work for a while now. But having seen all four of these performances, his performance as Jamie absolutely takes the cake. Every single time I have watched him perform Getting Married Today, it always stops the show and the applause is thunderous. Get you an actor who can portray a truthful, heartbreaking and comedic performance while singing at THAT speed. I’d even put money on it.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL

Patti LuPone for Company at Gielgud Theatre

Ruthie Ann Miles for The King And I at The London Palladium

“The Queens” – Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel – for Six at Arts Theatre

Rachel Tucker for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre

I adored all ten of these performances and what an incredible list of women! But Rachel Tucker’s performance of Me and the Sky is absolutely goosebump inducing in Come From Away. It’s a tough category but I think because of her 11 o’clock number and the fact she gets a lot more of a chance to shine throughout the show, she will be the winner. (Sorry Patti, I still think you’re great).

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Marc Antolin for Little Shop Of Horrors at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre

Zubin Varla for Fun Home at Young Vic

Ken Watanabe for The King And I at The London Palladium

I still think about Zubin Varla’s performance of Edges of The World in Fun Home, it was hands down one of the most moving performances of a song I’ve ever seen in a musical. Shamefully, I haven’t seen Kobna in Tina so I am slightly biased here.

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Sharon D. Clarke for Caroline, Or Change at Playhouse Theatre

Rosalie Craig for Company at Gielgud Theatre

Kelli O’Hara for The King And I at The London Palladium

Adrienne Warren for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Aldwych Theatre

Again slightly biased here as I haven’t seen Adrienne Warren’s performance in Tina. Not only am I predicting Rosalie Craig because she gives an unstoppable performance in Company but she did beat out these incredible actresses for the Evening Standard Award as well.

BEST ACTOR

Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre

Arinzé Kene for Misty at Trafalgar Studios 1

Ian McKellen for King Lear at Duke of York’s Theatre

Kyle Soller for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre

David Suchet for The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre

Truthfully? I have absolutely no clue, these are all absolutely incredible actors. Personally, I would love to see Kyle Soller or Arinzé Kene win. But The Lehman Trilogy was such an exquisite production, I wouldn’t be surprised if the three leading men were the winners.

BEST ACTRESS

Gillian Anderson for All About Eve at Noël Coward Theatre

Eileen Atkins for The Height Of The Storm at Wyndham’s Theatre

Patsy Ferran for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre

Sophie Okonedo for Antony And Cleopatra at National Theatre

Katherine Parkinson for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre

Patsy Ferran’s performance in Summer and Smoke was absolutely captivating and really solidified her presence as one of the fastest rising actors in London theatre. She was truly exquisite and delivered a truthful and heartbreaking performance.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Keir Charles for Quiz at Noël Coward Theatre

Adam Gillen for Killer Joe at Trafalgar Studios 1

Adrian Lukis for The Price at Wyndham’s Theatre

Malcolm Sinclair for Pressure at Ambassadors Theatre

Chris Walley for The Lieutenant Of Inishmore at Noël Coward Theatre

If Keir Charles doesn’t win, it will actually be an utter travesty. The way he seamlessly changed between and portrayed a wealth of British quiz show hosts, matching their mannerisms exactly without it becoming a parody AND being thoroughly entertaining to watch? Give him the award.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Susan Brown for Home, I’m Darling at National Theatre – Dorfman and Duke of York’s Theatre

Monica Dolan for All About Eve at Noël Coward Theatre

Cecilia Noble for Nine Night at National Theatre – Dorfman and Trafalgar Studios 1

Vanessa Redgrave for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre

All of these women were absolutely fantastic scene stealers. But no one shined more than Cecilia Noble in Nine Night, who was absolutely incredible in Nine Night. Not only was she incredibly funny but her performance in the last scene of the play was captivating. That said, I will not be surprised if Vanessa Redgrave nabs it, despite turning up 20 minutes before the end.

Who do you want to win in the acting categories at the Oliviers this year? Let me know!

Be sure to stay tuned for my next posts on the technical categories and the big five!

Until next time,