Two Irish Olivier award nominations

There are two Irish nominations for this year’s Laurence Olivier theatre awards.

There are two Irish nominations for this year’s Laurence Olivier theatre awards.

Fabulous Beast Dance production company's The Rite of Spring, which is choreographed and directed by Michael Keegan Dolan, has been nominated in the best new dance production category.

The second Irish nomination is for dancer and choreographer Colin Dunne for his solo show, Out of Time, in the outstanding achievement in dance category.

A number of established Hollywood actors, including Jude Law, Keira Knightley, Gillian Anderson and Rachel Weisz, are in line for awards.

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Law is vying with Darth Vader actor James Earl Jones and James McAvoy in the best actor category.

The 79-year-old star, who voiced Vader in the Star Wars films, has been nominated for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Law is up for best actor for Hamlet, an award-winning role which went down a storm on Broadway as well as in London.

McAvoy said he was "absolutely delighted" with his nomination, which he received for Three Days of Rain. He said: "Considering the quality of acting in the last year I feel very honoured. Thanks to those who voted."

Law added: “It’s a huge honour to receive this nomination for Hamlet - it’s been an extraordinary year for London theatre and in particular straight plays and to be nominated in such great company is a real privilege and a pleasure.”

Mark Rylance, Ken Stott and Samuel West round off the list, which is one of several to have been lengthened due to an “outstanding” year for drama in London theatre.

Knightley has received a supporting actress nomination for her debut West End stage performance in The Misanthrope, a category which includes Hayley Atwell for A View from the Bridge.