Law and McAvoy up for theatre gongs (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Law and McAvoy up for theatre gongs

2:51pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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Jude Law, James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Gillian Anderson and Rachel Weisz are among the nominees at this year's Laurence Olivier Awards.

Jude is up for best actor for Hamlet, an award-winning role which went down a storm on Broadway as well as in London, and James said he was "absolutely delighted" with his nomination, which he received for Three Days Of Rain.

The Last Station actor said: "Considering the quality of acting in the last year I feel very honoured -thanks to those who voted."

Jude 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."

James Earl Jones, 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.

Keira 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.

Meanwhile, Melanie C - aka Sporty Spice - has a best actress in a musical nod for Blood Brothers and Rowan Atkinson is in the running for best actor in a musical for his portrayal of Fagin in Oliver!.

The best actress section sees Gillian recognised for her role in A Doll's House, alongside Lorraine Burroughs for The Mountaintop, Imelda Staunton for Entertaining Mr Sloane At Trafalgar, Juliet Stevenson or Duet For One, and Oscar winner Rachel for playing fading beauty Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.