Wirral actor says ‘this is for my nan’ after winning Olivier Award

A Wirral actor has described the "best moment" of his life after winning a prestigious Olivier Award.

Hosted by Hannah Waddingham at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the 2024 Olivier Awards, saw the likes of Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger and The Picture of Dorian Gray’s Sarah Snook crowned winners.

24 other awards were given out on the night, Tuesday, April 14, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical to Prenton’s Jak Malone.

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The 30-year-old currently stars in Operation Mincemeat at The Fortune Theatre. Based on the true story from World War II, the musical is largely attributed to Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley. However, until recently, little was known about one of the less-regarded female protagonists – MI5 secretary Hester Leggatt, who Jak portrays on stage.

Jak told the ECHO: “I was dumbstruck. It honestly was the best moment of my life. I know everyone says they don't expect to win but I genuinely didn't. It's my first West End job so I thought it would go to someone more experienced. So when they called my name out, even though I was sitting down, my knees buckled. I was pleasantly surprised to look around and see everyone cheering for me, the warmth in that room when I had won was something I wasn't expecting whatsoever."

The performer previously told the ECHO how he was “proud” of the communit of fans he has built up over the years since leaving Merseyside and settling in the country’s capital.

The actor said: “It’s my dream to be on the West End and it's my ambition but it is something you think won’t happen to you. Everybody has to have a grounded approach but it has finally happened to me and it's so much bigger and nicer than I ever thought it would be. The community of fans that have built up around the show are so lovely and so present. They are a real part of the day-to-day aspect of what it means for me to do the show.”

Before Jak started making a name for himself in London, he was adding to his CV whilst living back here in the city centre. He thanks his nan, Joan, for introducing him to the entertainment industry as she used to work at the Liverpool Empire Theatre as a dresser.

He added: “Back then, they were very generous with the complimentary tickets - they gave tickets out for everything. I saw everything that was on and it truly was inspiring.

“I went with my cousin and it didn’t matter what was on, we were there watching it for free. It showed me exactly what I wanted to do and pinpointed it for me. It helped me see a way forward in life. My family started to see performing was benefitting all aspects of my life. My behaviour improved, I was doing better at school and I became a lot more well-rounded and happier as a child.”

Having found his passion in life, Jak went on to join a theatre group in the area before studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). Just before he was about to graduate from Paul McCartney’s school, he received a call which could later catapult his career from being a student to a professional actor.

The former Bebington High Sports College student said: “I made my debut at Liverpool Everyman in Clockwork Orange in the role of Dim. The actor had broken his leg last minute and I was just about to graduate from LIPA. I got a call to ask if I would be able to learn the script in two days, and I said yes, even though I didn’t know if I would be able to.”

Now, Jaks, nor his co-workers, hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed as Operation Mincemeat also won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

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