Bard’s 1598 Comedy In Line For 1985 Honour (Press, 9 November 1985)

On 9 November 1985, it was reported that William Shakespeare was nominated for the Comedy of the Year at the Olivier Awards for his play "Love’s Labours Lost," which was written in 1598. This nomination is noteworthy as it marks the celebration of Shakespeare’s work 387 years later, leading the field with a total of four nominations. However, significant Shakespearean works such as "Richard III," "Henry V," and "Hamlet" were not eligible for the prestigious Play of the Year category, which is part of London's annual theatre awards akin to New York’s Tony Awards. The Society of West End Theatres, responsible for the awards, announced a total of 62 nominees across 16 categories, acknowledging excellence in theatre, opera, and dance in London from 1 November 1984 to 31 October 1985. The award winners, named after actor Lord Olivier, will be revealed on 8 December at the Dominion Theatre in London. For the Comedy of the Year category, Shakespeare is up against three contemporary British playwrights: Alan Ayckbourn for "A Chorus of Disapproval," David Hare and Howard Brenton for "Pravda," and John Godber for "Bouncers," the latter of whom won the award the previous year for "Up ’n’ Under." "Love’s Labours Lost," produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, also garnered nominations for best actor (Roger Rees as Berowne), best designer (Bob Crowley), and best director (Barry Kyle). In the Play of the Year category, "Torch Song Trilogy," by Harvey Fierstein, received a nomination. It features Antony Sher, who plays the lead role of Arnold, a homosexual drag queen. Other plays nominated in this top category include "The Road to Mecca" by Athol Fugard, "Red Noses" by Peter Barnes, and "Doomsday" by Tony Harrison. The competition in the Musical of the Year category was sparse, featuring only two nominees: "Les Miserables," an adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel by the Royal Shakespeare Company, and "Me and My Girl," a revival of a 1937 British musical exploring class issues. Patti Lupone, known for her Tony-winning role in "Evita," earned a nomination for her portrayal of Fantine in "Les Miserables" as well as for her performance in a limited revival of Marc Blitzstein’s opera, "The Cradle Will Rock." Notably, Lupone made history by becoming the first American actor to play a leading role in a Royal Shakespeare Company production.

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