Jude and the Tony's....

The nominations for this year's Tony Awards have been announced. It barely exudes any surprise that Jude Law's portrayal of Hamlet, has once more taken centre stage, yet competition for his category, 'Best Broadway Actor', is unexpectly strong, with both British actor Alfred Molina, and American Denzel Washington also nominated. As far as the musicals are concerned, Green Day, perhaps more used to Emmy nominations as opposed to Tony's, feature for 'American Idiot' - the satge version of their best selling album. Sarah Ruhl's 2009 drama, 'In the Next Room', and John Logan's 'Red', are also recognised. The awards will be announced on June 13th.

Hey Jude, don't carry the world upon your shoulders...

It almost seems boring, it's now so predictable. But the amount of theatre awards being won by the same people are only testament to the skill of their craft. Once again this weekend, it was Jude Law and Rachel Weisz who came out on top, both winning a Whatsonstage.com award for their performances in 'Hamlet' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire' respectively. The Shakespearian tragedy won on all fronts, with Sir Patrick Stewart picking up best supporting actor and the play itself being voted the best Shakespearian production. Rowan Atkinson and 'Oliver!' co-star Jodie Prenger also received awards for best musical role and best supporting actress respectively. In a slight twist, these awards were voted for by the public, but it seems critic or layman, they just can't enough of Rachel and Jude.

Hollywood's finest vie for West End title...

The nominations for the Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards have been announced today. Among the names are those who now are seemingly synonymous with awards. Rachel Weisz and Gillian Anderson are pitted head to head in 'Best Actress' category, for their roles in Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and Ibsen's 'A Doll's House' respectively. The contenders for 'Best Supporting Actress' are similarly strong, including Ruth Wilson for her work alongside Weisz, and Hollywood star Keira Knightley for her performance in newly opened play 'The Misanthrope'. A theatre awards ceremony cannot proceed without recognition for a famous personality in the guise of Shakespeare, and so it is not surprising that Jude Law is nominated for 'Best Actor' as the Danish prince himself, Hamlet. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 21 March.

Jude, Lenny and Keira thwart recession...

Although many have felt the pinch over the last year and inevitable luxuries have had to been cut back, the theatre appears not only unaffected by it, but seems to have profited from it. The year is hailed, by the Society of London Theatre, to have been a record breaking one, with over 14 million tickets sold in the capital. The director of National Theatre, Nicholas Hytner, belives this is down to the success of 'straight plays: 'There's a huge audience...for serious theatre, that addresses head on the world that people feel they're part of, that engages with a world that at the moment appears to be spinning out of control'. And Hollywood has lent some of its most famous stars to the cause, Jude Law and Keira Knightley both taking time out from filming to revive Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and Moliere's 'The Misanthrope' respectively. Other actors have also been at hand; award-winning Lenny Henry and Rachel Weisz have captured audiences and critics alike, ensuring that 2009 was a huge hit at the box office.

David Tennant speaks daggers...

On a similarly Shakespearian theme, David Tennant has reprised his award winning role as Hamlet. The some time Time Lord combined with fellow actor Patrick Stewart to recreate the Royal Shakespeare Company's production, which proved a sellout success in London's West End. The three hour long drama was aired today on BBC2, and can be seen here. 'Hamlet' is Shakespeare's longest play, and is often one of the most popular to perform, given the numerous interpretations that can be applied to it. Other actors to have played the role include Jude Law and Sam Waterston, with John Simm taking it up later this year.

To be or not to be...

It has been announced that John Simm will become the newest actor to take on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Following the huge success of both David Tennant and Jude Law in the role, Simm will take to the stage in September 2010 at the Sheffield Crucible, which reopens in February after a £15.3 million redevelopment. Shakespeare's longest play, the Crucible's artisitc director says of 'Hamlet'; 'It is potentially a very scary role, but it has become one of those roles that every major actor leaps through. It can be a test of your mettle.' Simm, best known for his starring role in 'Life on Mars', as well as several 'Doctor Who' performances, is currently appearing in 'Speaking In Tongues' in London's West End.

What's on stage?...

Nominations for Whatsonstage.com Theatre Awards have been announced. Lenny Henry, who won a London Evening Standard Theatre Award last month for his performance as Othello, has been nominated for best newcomer, along with previous X Factor finalist Diana Vickers, who plays the lead in 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice'. Fellow Standard winner Rachel Weisz is nominated for best actress, due to her role in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'; a category also including famous film actress Helen Mirren, nominated for 'Phedre'. Other notable nominations include, Jude Law for best actor, following his success in Hamlet and former Spice Girl Melanie C for best takeover role in 'Blood Brothers'. The winners will be announced on February 14th.

Take a sad song and make it better...

It has been announced that Broadway's 'Hamlet' is officially a success, bringing in profit after less than three months. The production, starring Jude Law, moved from London's Wydham's Theatre to New York's Broadhurst Theatre in October, having already proved a commercial hit in the West End. Law, returning to Broadway for the first time since 1995, is the second famous face to grace the role of the Danish prince in as many years, David Tennant proving highly popular in the RSC's production. Following up from that, many expected Law to fail, yet he received positive reviews; the Telegraph calling his performance one of 'rare vunerability and emotional openess.' 'It is heartening', says the show's director, 'that Shakespeare can be a commercial success on Broadway.'