TheLaurence Olivier Awards,or simplyTheOlivier Awards,are presented annually by theSociety of London Theatreto recognize excellence inprofessional theatre in London.The awards were originally known as theSociety of West End Theatre Awards,but they were renamed in honour of theEnglish actor of the same namein1984.
| Olivier Awards | |
|---|---|
| Current:2024 Laurence Olivier Awards | |
 Laurence Olivier Award, designed by the sculptor Harry Franchetti, depicting Olivier asHenry VatThe Old Vicin 1937 | |
| Awarded for | Best in London theatre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Presented by | Society of London Theatre |
| First award | 1976 |
| Website | Official website |
The awards are given annually to individuals involved in West End productions and other leadingnon-commercial theatresbased in London across a range of categories covering plays, musicals, dance, opera and affiliate theatre. A discretionary non-competitive Special Olivier Award is also given each year. The Olivier Awards are recognised internationally as the highest honour inBritish theatre,equivalent to theBAFTA Awardsfor film and television, and theBRIT Awardsfor music. The Olivier Awards are considered equivalent toBroadway'sTony AwardsandFrance'sMolière Award.
Since inception, the awards have been held at various venues and theatres across London, from 2012 to 2016 at theRoyal Opera House,before moving to theRoyal Albert Hallin 2017. Television coverage is broadcast inprime timeonITV1,who acquired the rights from 2013 onwards, with radio coverage byMagic Radio.
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History
editThe awards were established in 1976 by the Society of London Theatre as the Society of West End Theatre Awards and were designed by artist Tom Merrifield. The first ceremony was in December 1976 at theCafé Royal.In 1984, British actorLaurence Oliviergave his consent for the awards to be renamed in his honour and they became known as the Laurence Olivier Awards.[1]
Judging
editEvery year, judging panels for theatre, opera, dance and affiliate shows are put together by the Society of London Theatre.[2]
For opera, dance and affiliates, each panel is made up of a mix of professional panellists (journalists, casting directors, arts administrators, publishers and other industry professionals chosen for their knowledge in the field) and members of the public who are passionate about London theatre. The panels first select the shows they consider most worthy of an Olivier Award nomination, then vote on a winner at the end of the judging period.[2]
For the theatre awards, a longlist is compiled by a panel made up of members of the public, and submitted to SOLT members to vote on. Members may still vote outside of the list at this stage, except for in the four Supporting Actor/Actress categories (as these each contain thousands of eligible performers). The members' votes are collated with those of the panellists to create the list of nominees. The nominees list is then voted on by both members and panellists to produce the winners.[2]
Ceremony
editHosts
editPast hosts of the Olivier Awards ceremony includeMichael Ball,Imelda Staunton,Clive Anderson,Gemma Arterton,Stephen Mangan,Hugh Bonneville,Sheridan Smith,Lenny Henry,Catherine Tate,Jason ManfordandHannah Waddingham.
Venues
editThe venue most associated with the Awards isGrosvenor House Hotel,which has housed the after-show reception nine times and hosted the whole event on four further occasions. As well as at the Grosvenor, the presentations have been held at theAlbery Theatre(now Noël Coward), Café Royal,Dominion Theatre,London Palladium,Lyceum Theatre,Park Lane Hilton,Piccadilly Theatre,Royal National Theatre Olivier,Royalty Theatre(now Peacock),Shaftesbury Theatre,Theatre Royal Drury LaneandVictoria Palace Theatre.[3]
The awards ceremony was held at theRoyal Opera Housefrom 2012 to 2016, moving to theRoyal Albert Hallin 2017.[4][5]
Broadcast
editThe first Laurence Olivier Awards to be broadcast on television was the 1981 ceremony, which was broadcast onBBC1.This continued until 1992, before a switch toBBC2until 2003.[6]The awards ceremony was then only broadcast on radio until 2011, when the BBC broadcast live interactive red-button coverage of the event,[7]whilePaul Gambaccinipresented a programme onBBC Radio 2with live coverage and interviews.[3]The same coverage followed in 2012 beforeITVsecured the broadcast rights, which saw the return of the Olivier Awards to mainstream television in 2013.[8]This has continued in recent years, and the ceremony has also been broadcast onMagic Radio.
Award categories
editAward milestones
editSome notable records and facts about the Laurence Olivier Awards include the following:[9]
Productions
edit- The most Olivier Awards ever received in the history of the ceremony were given to the playHarry Potter and the Cursed Childin 2017, when it won nine awards including Best New Play.
- The record for the most Olivier Awards ever received by a musical is tied betweenSunset Boulevard(2024),Cabaret(2022),Hamilton(2018) andMatilda(2012) each of which received seven awards including Best Musical (forMatildaandHamilton) or Best Musical Revival (forCabaretandSunset Boulevard)
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time(2013) received seven Olivier Awards.Nicholas Nickleby(1980) andMy Neighbour Totoro(2023) received six.Life of Pi(2022),Chimerica(2014),Sunday in the Park with George(2007),She Loves Me(1995) andGuys and Dolls(1982) received five.Gypsy(2016),The Book of Mormon(2014),After the Dance(2011),Spring Awakening(2010),Black Watch(2009),Hairspray(2008),Jerry Springer: The Opera(2004),All My Sons(2001),Billy Elliot(2006),Hedda Gabler(2006),Oklahoma(1999),Stanley(1997),Machinal(1994),Sweeney Todd(1994),An Inspector Calls(1993) andCarousel(1993) received four.
- The most nominations ever received by a production is 13 withHamilton(2018).Sunset Boulevard(2024),Cabaret(2022),Harry Potter and the Cursed Child(2017) andHairspray(2008) received 11.Follies(2018) had 10.Dear England(2024),Guys and Dolls(2024),My Neighbour Totoro(2023),Life of Pi(2022),& Juliet(2020),Come from Away(2019),Company(2019),Memphis(2015),Matilda(2012),Billy Elliot(2006),Mary Poppins(2005),Kiss Me, Kate(2002),Oklahoma(1999) andCarousel(1993) received nine.The Inheritance(2019),The Ferryman(2018),Groundhog Day(2017),Gypsy(2016),Beautiful: The Carole King Musical(2015),The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time(2013),The Producers(2005),Guys and Dolls(2006),Jerry Springer(2004),Pacific Overtures(2004),Ragtime(2004),My Fair Lady(2002),Spend, Spend, Spend(2000),The Lion King(2000),Tommy(1997),She Loves Me(1995) andFiddler on the Roof(2020) received eight.
- Kiss Me, Kate(2002) holds the record for most nominations without any wins at nine.
Individuals
edit
- William Dudley(designer),Judi Dench(actress) andMatthew Bourne(choreographer) are tied for the record for the most competitive wins by an individual with seven each. Dench also won aSpecial Olivier Awardin 2004.
- Andrew Lloyd Webber(composer/producer) has won six plus the Special Olivier Award in 2008.[10]
- Ian McKellen,Alan Bennett,Richard EyreandStephen Sondheimhave all won five competitive awards plus the Special Olivier Award.
- Five wins:Paule Constable,Declan Donnellan,Mark Henderson,Mark Thompson.
- Four wins:Michael Bryant,Michael Frayn,Tim Goodchild,Clare Higgins,Alex Jennings,Sam Mendes,Trevor Nunn,Philip Quast,Willy Russell,Simon Russell Beale,Imelda Staunton,Frances de la Tour,Paule Constable,Bunny Christie.
- Michael Gambonhas a record thirteen Olivier nominations, winning an Olivier three times.
- Performers who have won Olivier Awards in both the play and musical categories are:Simon Russell Beale,Jonathan Pryce,Henry Goodman,Imelda Staunton,Judi Dench,Sheridan Smith,Janie Dee,Sharon D. Clarke,Sheila AtimandEddie Redmayne.
- Of those 10, Judi Dench is the only performer to win both the play and musical Olivier acting awards in the same year (1996) – for her performances inAbsolute HellandA Little Night Music.
- In 1991Karla Burnsbecame the first black performer to win the award, for the role of Queenie in theRoyal Shakespeare Company's production ofShow Boat.[11]
- Maggie Smithhas never won the award despite being nominated a total of six times. She did receive theSpecial Olivier Awardin 2010.
- Sinéad Cusackhas never won the award despite being nominated a total of five times.
- Philip Quasthas won the Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical on three occasions, whileMichael Crawford,Robert Lindsay,Daniel EvansandMichael Ballhave all won the award twice.
- Imelda Stauntonhas won the Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical three times.Julia McKenzie,Joanna Riding,Maria Friedman,Samantha SpiroandKatie Braybenhave all won twice. Imelda Staunton also holds the record for the most Olivier nominations in the Best Actress in a Musical category, with seven nominations. Maria Friedman is next, with six nominations.
- In 1985,Patti LuPonetied with herself for an Olivier for her performances asFantinein the original London cast ofLes Miserables,and as Moll inThe Cradle Will Rock.
- Jenny GallowayandTracie Bennetthave both won the Olivier for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical twice.
- Shows that have won Olivier Awards for both Best Actor and Best Actress in a Musical:Barbara DicksonandCon O'NeillinBlood Brothers(1988),Jonathan PryceandLea SalongainMiss Saigon(1990),Alun ArmstrongandJulia McKenzieinSweeney Todd(1993),Daniel EvansandSamantha SpiroinMerrily We Roll Along(2001),Alex JenningsandJoanna RidinginMy Fair Lady(2003),Daniel EvansandJenna RussellinSunday in the Park with George(2007),Michael BallandLeanne JonesinHairspray(2008),Bertie Carveland all four Matildas inMatilda(2012)Michael BallandImelda StauntoninSweeney Todd(2013),Eddie RedmayneandJessie BuckleyinCabaret(2022) andTom FrancisandNicole ScherzingerinSunset Boulevard(2024)
- In 1984, Tim Flavin was the first American actor to win the Olivier Award for his performance inOn Your Toesat thePalace Theatre.He was nominated twice in the same year for Most Promising Newcomer and Best Actor in a Musical and the award was presented by DameAnna Neagle.In 1985,Patti LuPonewas the first American actress to win an Olivier award for her work inThe Cradle Will RockandLes Miserables.Jessica Langewas the first American actress nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance inLong Day's Journey into Night
- Hairspraywon all three musical acting awards in 2008: Best Actor and Actress in a Musical forMichael BallandLeanne Jonesand Best Supporting Performance in a Musical forTracie Bennett.Cabaretwon all four musical acting awards in 2022: Best Actor and Actress ina Musical forEddie RedmayneandJessie Buckleyand Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical forElliot LeveyandLiza Sadovy.
- Roles that have won awards for actors on more than one occasion include: Miss Adelaide inGuys and Dolls(1982 and 2006), George inSunday in the Park with George(1991 and 2007), The Baker's Wife inInto the Woods(1991 and 1999), Nicely Nicely Johnson inGuys and Dolls(1982 and 1997), Sweeney Todd inSweeney Todd(1980, 1994 and 2013), Mrs. Lovett inSweeney Todd(1994 and 2013), Frau Schneider inCabaret(1994 and 2007) and Eliza Doolittle inMy Fair Lady(2002 and 2003).
- Michael Ball,Bertie Carveland Jak Malone all won Oliviers for playing roles of the opposite sex, in 2008 forHairspray,2012 forMatilda,and 2024 forOperation Mincemeat (musical)respectively.
- Shared wins: In 2022, all seven actors sharing the role of the Tiger inLife of Pireceived the Olivier for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. In 2012, all four actresses sharing the role of Matilda inMatilda the Musicalreceived the Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical. In 2006, all three actors sharing the role of Billy Elliot inBilly Elliot the Musicalreceived the Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical.
- Shared nominations: In 2017, the eight members of the cast (six leads and two understudies) ofOur Ladies of Perpetual Succourwere jointly nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Also in 2017, the six cast members fromThe Girlswere jointly nominated in the Best Actress in a Musical category. In 2019, the six cast members ofSixwere jointly nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for their performances as the six wives of Henry VIII.[12]
- On April 15, 2012, at age 10 years 299 days,Eleanor Worthington Coxbecame the youngest winner of an award, when she received the Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical forMatilda the Musical.
- In 2018,Billie Piperbecame the first, and so far only, actor to have won all six of the currently available UK Theatre Best Actress awards for a single performance: Evening Standard Theatre Awards, What's On Stage Theatre Awards, Critic's Circle Theatre Awards, Broadway UK Theatre Awards, Glamour Awards and Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards. This accolade was achieved by her performance inYerma,which was hailed as "the performance of the decade", "shattering, exhausting, earthquaking" and "unbearably harrowing".[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Olivier Awards".OfficialLondonTheatre, accessed 30 January 2018
- ^abc"How the Olivier Award winners are chosen – Olivier Awards".Official London Theatre.Retrieved7 March2018.
- ^abJones, Kenneth."Love Never Dies,Legally Blonde,Rylance,Jacobi, Boggess, Bennett,End of the RainbowAre Olivier Nominees ".Playbill,7 February 2011
- ^Alvarez, Joe; Orlova-Alvarez, Tamara (10 April 2017)."Who Won at The Olivier Awards 2017".Ikon London Magazine.Retrieved18 January2018.
- ^"Olivier Awards – How It All Began".OfficialLondonTheatre.Retrieved30 January2018.
- ^"Olivier Awards – HistoryLondon theatre tickets – London theatre tickets".westendtheatre.12 February 2012.
- ^Dunn, Carrie (14 March 2011)."Olivier theatre awards: the BBC should be red-faced over its red-button coverage".The Guardian.
- ^Trueman, Matt (29 January 2013)."Olivier awards make triumphant return to TV".The Guardian.
- ^"Olivier Awards: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know".OfficialLondonTheatre, accessed 30 January 2018
- ^"Andrew Lloyd Webber Receives Seventh Olivier"Archived2012-02-13 at theWayback Machine.Really Useful Group
- ^"Karla Burns, music theater trailblazer who won coveted Olivier award, dies at 66".The Wichita Eagle.4 June 2021.
- ^"Olivier Winners 2017".Olivier Awards.Retrieved30 January2018.
- ^"About Billie Piper".billiepiperofficial.
External links
edit
Media related toLaurence Olivier Awardsat Wikimedia Commons- Official website
