Jude Law, James McAvoy for Olivier awards

Jude Law and James McAvoy are among the actors nominated for the Laurence Olivier Awards 2010.

The pair, recognised for Hamlet and Three Days of Rain respectively, are up for 'Best Actor' alongside James Earl Jones (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Mark Rylance (Jerusalem), Ken Stott (A View from a Bridge) and Samuel West (Enron).

Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz (A Streetcar Named Desirehas) has been nominated for 'Best Actress' with Juliet Stevenson (Duet for One) and Gilian Anderson (Doll's House).

Keira Knightley (The Misanthrope) has also been put forward for 'Best Supporting Actress'.

Nica Burns, president of the Society of London Theatre, revealed: "The voting for the best acting awards was so close that the nominations had to be increased."

The prestigious theatre ceremony will take place in London on March 21.