Too many awards these days, says stage icon Imelda
THE CROWN star Imelda Staunton says there are so many awards shows they have lost their value.
Despite being a grand dame of the London stage, having won four Oliviers in 13 nominations, she is not planning to attend tonight’s celebration of British theatre.
Hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, 49, a host of famous faces such as Sarah Jessica
Parker, Sheridan Smith and singer Nicole Scherzinger are up for a prestigious gong.
But Imelda, 68, who played Queen Elizabeth in the Netflix drama and also starred in Vera Drake, said: “I am not going to the Oliviers. Awards are not a big deal as it has to be in proportion to the work. The work is the only thing.
“The big awards for Vera Drake, we got an Oscar nomination, a Bafta, all those, but I was so pleased for the film and the subject matter, and the conversations it
‘They seem like two a penny’
opened up.” The actress, who is married to Downton Abbey’s
Jim Carter, 75, added: “Now awards seem like two a penny.
“Everyone needs a pat on the back. For me, it is like the end-ofterm school prize. It is a nice night out for a lot of people and I get that, and it is wonderful, but keep it in proportion.”
Sheridan, 42, has been nominated for the best actress Olivier for her performance in Shirley Valentine.
She is up against Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, 59, and Succession star Sarah Snook, 36, for their roles in Plaza Suite and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
This could provide a welcome relief for Sheridan after it was announced last week that her musical Opening Night will close two months early.
Pussycat Doll star Nicole, 45, is up for best actress in a musical for Sunset Boulevard.
The Olivier Awards, ITV1 and ITVX, tonight, 10.10pm.