Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball nominated for theatre awards

HARRY POTTER actress IMELDA STAUNTON will go head-to-head with her SWEENEY TODD co-star MICHAEL BALL at the 2012 Theatre Awards UK, battling it out to win a top trophy.

Staunton and Ball, who play murderous partners in crime in the Stephen Sondheim production, will compete in the Best Performance in a Musical category alongside Welsh star Daniel Evans, who was nominated for his role in Company.

Sweeney Todd will also go up against Company and The Go-Between for the Best Musical trophy.

The Theatre Awards UK, which celebrate outstanding stage achievements throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will take place on 28 October (12) in London.