Best-actor nod for Michael Crawford

Press, 20 November 1981, Page 11

Best-actor nod for Michael Crawford

PA London Michael Crawford, star of the hit play “Barnum,” today was nominated for best actor of the year in a musical in the West End theatre awards for 1981. Crawford, best-known in New Zealand for his television comedy role in “Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em,” was rated favourite for the award ahead of Brian Blessed and Wayne Sleep, who are both in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

“Barnum.” a hit in both New York and London, is the story of the American showman. P. T. Barnum. Another man better-known on television, Trevor Eve, was nominated for actor of the year for his role in “Children of a Lesser God.” Eve made his name as Eddie Shoestring, a TV private eye. Other nominees in . this category are Edward Fox and James Grout ("Quater-

maine's Terms”) and Karl Johnson ("TV Times”). The deaf-and-dumb actress. Elizabeth Quinn, emerged as favourite for best actress for her moving role in "Children of a Lesser God,” which also is a frontrunner for best play. Others up for best actress are Eileen Atkins (“Passon Play”), Janet Dale (“Accrington Pals”) and Maggie Smith (“Virginia”).