NHB author Lucy Kirkwood's gripping, darkly funny drama The Children has been nominated for Best Play at the Tony Awards 2018, it was announced today (1 May).

The play focuses on two ageing nuclear scientists, living in an isolated cottage on the coast as the world around them crumbles. When an old friend arrives with a frightening request, they find themselves having to make a terrible decision. A sold-out hit at its premiere at London's Royal Court Theatre in 2016, The Children won Best Play at the Writers' Guild Awards 2018 in January. Also nominated in the same category is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by NHB author Jack Thorne.

Elsewhere, the acclaimed National Theatre production of Angels in America by Tony Kushner is shortlisted in ten categories including Best Revival. The epic two-part play returned to the NT last year, twenty-five years after its premiere in 1992, before transferring to New York from February. The production also won Best Revival at this year's Olivier Awards.

Also nominated at this year's ceremony is NHB author Mark Rylance, who is up for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play (Farinelli and the King). This would be his third win in the category, having most recently won for his performance as Johnny 'Rooster' Byron in Jerusalem in 2011.

The winners of this year's Tony Awards will be announced on 10 June. To see the full list of nominees across every category, visit their website.