Normally I pick one hottie for the StOliviers but there were too many to choose from and who doesn't love a bit of picture researching? I know at least two people who've been waiting for this list, I hope you enjoy.
In no particular order and photo credits listed when available:
Russell Tovey in The Pass, Royal Court - he spent half the play in his pants
Seth Numrich, Fathers and Sons, Donmar Warehouse - who doesn't like a waistcoat, floppy hair and exposed forearms? Pic: Johan Persson
Adam Lawrence, Hamlet, Riverside Studios - a young muscular Hamlet in a white vest. Photo: Adam Trigg
Mark Strong, A View From The Bridge, Young Vic - you'll have to imagine the opening shower scene if you didn't see it
Alex Hassell, Henry IV, RST Stratford and Barbican London - as a billy bonus got to see him in jeans and a white vest during the fight call while I was on the Barbican backstage tour.
Sam Marks, Henry IV (as before) - you'll have to trust me on this one if you didn't see the plays; there was the 'locker room' scene in part 2 but Sam is also Alex's understudy...and I saw the understudy performance of part 1 from which the picture of Alex is taken...get the idea?
Richard Armitage, The Crucible, Old Vic - all strong and angry and trying to do the right thing
And finally there were the Boys in Briefs in a whole category of their own...just watch the video.
Late additions: Ben Foster in Streetcar Named Desire and Tom Bateman in Shakespeare in Love.
Related posts, because it isn't all ogling:
Big best of 2014 theatre list
Favourite fringe theatre of 2014
Favourite Shakespeare/Jacobean plays of 2014