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Rylance is nominated for his role in Farinelli and the King
Mark Rylance has been nominated for an Olivier theatre award, just hours after winning his first Oscar.
He is up against Adrian Lester, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kenneth Branagh and Kenneth Cranham for best actor.
Productions of Gypsy and Kinky Boots lead the nominations with eight and seven nominations respectively.
The Olivier Awards, which celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, will be held at London’s Royal Opera House on 3 April.
The nominees for best actress are Gemma Arterton, Denise Gough, Janet McTeer, Lia Williams and Nicole Kidman.
Olivier Awards 2016: Nominations in full
Rylance is nominated for his role as King Philippe V of Spain in Farinelli and the King, which played at the Duke of York’s Theatre.
Claire van Kampen’s play received six nominations in total. It goes up against The Father, Hangmen and People, Places And Things for the title of best new play.
Rylance’s nomination was announced on Monday in the aftermath of his win for best supporting actor at the Academy Awards for his role in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies.
Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh in The Winter’s Tale
Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s production of The Winter’s Tale is also nominated in six categories.
One of them is best supporting actress, for Dame Judi Dench’s portrayal of the noblewoman, Paulina.
It marks Dame Judi’s 15th nomination, having previously received six awards and one special award.
Kinky Boots, the music for which was composed by Cyndi Lauper, picked up seven nominations.
It faces Bend It Like Beckham, In The Heights and Mrs Henderson Presents for the best new musical award.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s nomination is one of four received by the Barbican’s production of Hamlet.
Its has competition in the best revival category from Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Winter’s Tale, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton announced the full list of this year’s Olivier nominees at an event in central London.
Imelda Staunton herself has been nominated for her lead role in Gypsy.
Ball will also host this year’s ceremony. He previously co-hosted the awards in 2011 and 2012.
Last year’s big winners were Kinks-inspired musical Sunny Afternoon and drama A View From the Bridge, with Dame Angela Lansbury winning her first Olivier Award for her role as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, her first West End role in nearly 40 years.
Voting has already opened for the Audience Award, the only Olivier voted for by the public.
BBC