The Olivier Awards 2020 took place on Sunday and among the list of winners was the Royal Opera House’s production of Billy Budd, featuring Sam Furness.
Billy Budd won the Best New Opera Production category. Sam Furness, in his Royal Opera House debut, was widely acclaimed for his performance as the Novice:
“There is a notable debut from Sam Furness as the tortured Novice, bullied by Claggart into betraying Billy” (The Times)
“Among a strong supporting cast, Sam Furness stands out as the grovelling hapless Novice” (The Telegraph)
“In his ROH debut, Sam Furness shone as the bullied Novice” (The Observer)
Other nominations involving Rayfield Allied artists included English National Opera and Regents Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Hansel and Gretel in the Best New Opera Production category, featuring Ben McAteer as the Father; and Martyn Brabbins and James Henshaw in the Outstanding Achievement in Opera category, conducting Harrison Birtwistle's The Mask of Orpheus.
To view the full list of winners and nominees at this year’s Olivier Awards click here.
