"Billy Elliot - The Musical" by Elton John and Lee Hall led the way with nine nominations including best new musical in the 30th annual Laurence Olivier Awards announced January 18, 2006.

The three precociously talented boys who took turns playing the title role in the show won a combined nomination as best actor in a musical. James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, who had to rotate as the northern lad with dancing feet because of their youth, will compete against Ewan McGregor and Douglas Hodge for "Guys and Dolls," which snagged eight nominations.

"Billy Elliot" director Stephen Daldry and choreographer Peter Darling join writer Lee and composer Elton in the running for the top theatrical awards. Daldry and Lee originated the 2000 film on which the stage show is based. It was named best British film at the BAFTA awards, with Jamie Bell winning as best actor in the title role and Julie Walters winning as best actress in the part of his teacher.

Haydn Gwynne, who plays the teacher in the stage show, was nominated for an Olivier as best actress in a musical and she will go up against Walters, who was nominated for the show "Acorn Antiques -- The Musical!" They will compete against former "Ali McBeal" star Jane Krakowski and Jenna Russell for "Guys and Dolls."

"Billy Elliot," which has now out-grossed the original movie in the U.K., faces Victoria Wood's "Acorn Antiques" and "The Big Life," by Paul Sirett and Paul Joseph," as best new musical.

The 2006 Laurence Olivier Awards, presented by the Society of London Theatre, will be handed out at the London Hilton on February 26, 2006.

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