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TV reality winner Fisher snubbed by Olivier judges

By Tom Teodorczuk, Evening Standard 18.01.07

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Connie Fisher (left) was chosen for the role of Maria after winning a BBC poll

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Connie Fisher has been ignored by the Laurence Oliver awards despite rave reviews for her performance in The Sound of Music.

The former call centre worker, who was chosen to star in the West End revival of the musical, has proved a smash hit since landing the role of Maria. She won the lead role by public vote in BBC reality show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

But despite a near-unprecedented full house of rave reviews and a 2,500-strong standing ovation on her opening night, she failed to gain a nomination for best actress in a musical in the annual Olivier awards.

Instead, Nicola Hughes - for her role in Porgy and Bess; Tonya Pinkins in Caroline Or Change; Elena Roger in Evita; Jenna Russell in Sunday In The Park With George and Hannah Waddingham in Spamalot will fight it out for the honour.

The big winner in the awards is set to be the Monty Python musical Spamalot, which scooped seven nominations.

The show, written by Eric Idle and based on the Monty Python and the Holy Grail film, opened in London to warm reviews in October. The £7.5 million musical has been nominated for best actor for Rocky Horror Show star Tim Curry as King Arthur, best actress for Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake and best new musical.

Curry is nominated for his first performance in London in 19 years.

The 60-year-old actor said: "It's been pretty much two years of my life. It was a wonderful way to come back to London."

Rosemary Squire, president of the Society of London Theatre, said: "2006 has been another exceptional year for London theatre. A wide variety of exciting and spectacular new productions and revivals have opened, while many longer-running shows have celebrated significant anniversaries.

"It proves that London theatre continues to offer a quality and diversity of live entertainment unrivalled anywhere else."

The 31st Laurence Olivier Awards take place on 18 February at the Grosvenor House hotel.

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I find it disgusting that Connie has not been nominated. Who else has done as much as her, not only in their own life, but to re-invigorate the whole West End? What else would she have to do to win an award?

- Joshua, London, UK