Amy Trigg lands award for best actress in a supporting role in a musical after CJ ENM co-production puts disability in the foreground
The CJ ENM co-production “The Little Big Things” drew attention at the Laurence Olivier Awards on April 14, when cast member Amy Trigg was chosen as best actress in a supporting role in a musical.
Often called the Tony Awards of the British theater scene, the Laurence Olivier Awards carry significant prestige in the United Kingdom. A panel of judges composed of stage professionals and audience members adjudicates the nominees, taking into account popularity as well as artistic excellence.
“The Little Big Things” is based on a memoir by Henry Fraser, a promising rugby player who became paralyzed after an accident at age 17 and went on to become a motivational speaker and artist. The musical premiered in London’s West End in September and depicts Fraser’s efforts to overcome despair and adapt to his disability.
Trigg plays Agnes, the main character’s physiotherapist and a steadfast ally in his healing journey, with humor and vivacity. Both Trigg and lead actor Ed Larkin are wheelchair users in real life, and Trigg is the first wheelchair user to receive the trophy for best actress in a supporting role in a musical.
Composers and lyricists Nick Butcher and Tom Ling are among the most talented young artists in the British musical theater industry, as is director Luke Sheppard.
The venue, the @sohoplace theater, is one of London’s few theaters to prioritize accessibility not only for audience members with disabilities but also for members of the cast and crew. The production has garnered praise both for its casting decisions and its approach to disability.
This is the fourth CJ ENM co-production to gain recognition at the Laurence Olivier Awards. “Kinky Boots” took away three awards in 2016, including best new musical. In 2022, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” won an Olivier for best costume design and “Back to the Future: The Musical” was picked as best new musical.
“It’s truly gratifying to see another CJ ENM co-production honored with a Laurence Olivier Award,” said Ye Joo-yeol, head of CJ ENM’s performing arts division. “‘The Little Big Things’ resonates with audiences around the world for its sensitive treatment of disability and its powerful message about overcoming adversity. Congratulations to Amy Trigg on a phenomenal performance!”
This year’s ceremony took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The other nominees competing against Trigg were Grace Hodgett-Young for “Sunset Boulevard,” Zoë Roberts for “Operation Mincemeat” and Eleanor Worthington Cox for “Next to Normal.”
