THE IRISH stars of London’s West End have cleaned up in this year’s Laurence Olivier nominations.
Comedian Ardal O'Hanlon, musician Glen Hansard, playwright Conor McPherson and Irish actress Sarah Greene have all received nominations for the prestigious award.
Cork native Greene is up against Sharon D Clarke, Katherine Kingsley and Cecilia Noble in the category for Best Supporting Actress, for her role in Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan, starring Pat Shortt and Daniel Radcliffe.
“I'm speechless. It's a massive honour - one which I wasn't expecting," she said upon learning that she was in the running to claim the much-coveted statuette.
Following on from a successful stint in the West End, the play has been transferred to New York's Cort Theatre and will begin its run on April 12.
The Olivier Awards ceremony will take place at the Royal Opera House, London on April 13.
O'Hanlon has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Conor McPherson's 1997 play The Weir and will contend with Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss and Mr Selfridge actor Ron Cook.
Playwright McPherson's production of The Night Alive – starring Love/ Hate actress Caoilfhionn Dunne, Brian Gleeson, Ciarán Hinds and Jim Norton - has been nominated in the American Airlines Best New Play category.
Eight-time Tony Award winning musical musical Once contends with The Book of Mormon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Scottsboro Boys in the Mastercard Best New Musical category.
Based on John Carney's 2006 film starring Hansard, Once has picked up several nomination including Best Choreography, Best Sound Design and Best Set.
Hansard and actress Markéta Irglová have also been nominated in the Autograph Sound Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.
The Almeida Theatre's production of Ghosts starring Monaghan actress Charlene McKenna features in the Best Revival category.
