[AnnieInTheStalls]

... has been released. It all looks very right to me - can't think of anything I'd like to see included or excluded.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/arti...ist-revealed.do

[AnnieInTheStalls]

Really? I felt that it was rather odd list, most obvious omissions being: no Jude Law, Fiona Shaw, Gillian Anderson, Great Game in the longlist, Simon Russell Beale being nominated for one play but not the other he did, no nomination for Claire Higgins despite being one of the best currently working on stage. And Not the least ignoring Sister Act etc in the musical section, in fact new musicals hardly get a look in. Also does Lenny Henry really fit as a newcomer?

I agree you could easily put Law, Shaw and Anderson in (but not SRB in Cherry Orchard surely), but I'm not disturbed by their absences. btw, what would Clare Higgins be in for (I haven't seen her in anything except Mrs Klein, which would not be included)? I think Lenny Henry definitely fits as a newcomer.

[applesarenice]

I would have included Sinead Cusack for The Cherry Orchard and Anna Chancellor for the Observer. And maybe Rory Kinnear for Burnt By The Sun.

I find it harder to decide who should be on a longlist, there's almost too much choice!

Pleased to see Our Class and When The Rain Stops Falling nominated for Best Play though, they're my top two of the year.

[AnnieInTheStalls]

Oh yes, Alison Steadman. I'd forgotten this (as I suspect have the judges), but I would put her in too.

The lack of musical/opera/dance/supporting actors is indeed unfortunate, but I actually find the small number of categories rather refreshing, after some of the "Best eating of onstage food by a left handed supporting actress" things you get at some awards.

[Lynette]

[Jan Brock]

Best performance of the year was Ethan Hawke in "Winters Tale". I'm surprised that the Standard didn't include him as it seems their list (as usual) is really of famous actors who gave an OK performance.