The 2017 nominations for the West End's most prestigious prize ceremony, the Laurence Olivier Awards, have been announced and Jk Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' is soaring above them all with eleven mentions altogether including Best New Play - almost breaking a record.

JK RowlingJK Rowling's 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' nominated for eleven Laurence Olivier Awards

The play, which opened in London in July 2016, is currently up for Virgin Atlantic Best New Play against the likes of 'Elegy', 'The Flick' and 'One Night in Miami'. Plus, Jamie Parker who plays the older Harry Potter in the production is nominated for Best Actor in competition with Ian McKellen for 'No Man's Land', Tom Hollander for 'Travesties', Ed Harris for 'Buried Child'.

Anthony Boyle is named in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category for his part as Scorpius Malfoy, while Noma Dumezweni is in the running for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing Minister for Magic Hermione Granger. Meanwhile, Best Director nominee John Tiffany is named for both 'The Cursed Child' and his other play 'The Glass Menagerie'.

The nominations are completed by Outstanding Achievement in Music, Best Theatre Choreographer, the White Light Award for Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design, Best Costume Design and the Blue-I Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design.

With eleven nominations, 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' are equalling 2008's 'Hairspray' which went on to win four of the categories. The play's biggest competition this year though are 'Dreamgirls' and 'Travesties' with five a-piece, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with six, 'The Glass Menagerie' with seven and 'Groundhog Day' with eight.

More: Will there be a 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' movie series?

Another stand-out nomination is 80-year-old Glenda Jackson who has not been nominated since the Laurence Olivier awards began in 1984. The former Labour minister is competing with the likes of Cherry Jones of 'The Glass Menagerie', Billie Piper of 'Yerma' and Ruth Wilson of 'Hedda Gabler' for Best Actress for her titular role in 'King Lear'. This year's Special Award will go to Kenneth Branagh for his extensive theatre work over the years, most notably for Shakespeare works.

The Laurence Olivier Awards will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on April 9th 2017.