The UK’s most important and prestigious theatre awards, the Olivier Awards, are coming up fast.
Organised by the Society of London Theatre, the awards cover all major acting and creative disciplines. Established in 1976, and named in honour of great British actor Laurence Olivier, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London’s West End theatre.
When will the Olivier Awards nominations be announced?
The 2023 Olivier Awards nominees were announced on Tuesday 28 February 2023. Check out the full list of Olivier Awards nominations here.
The RSC’s production of My Neighbour Totoro, which played at the Barbican Theatre, is out in the lead with nine nominations at this year’s Olivier Awards, followed by Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre with eight nominations, Oklahoma!, with seven nominations, and Rebecca Frecknall’s new revivial of A Streetcar Named Desire with six nominations. Also at six nominations are To Kill a Mockingbird at the Gielgud Theatre and The Band’s Visit, which played at the Donmar Warehouse.
The nominations were announced by Back to the Future star Amber Davies, and Gabrielle Brooks, forthcoming star of Once on This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
The Olivier Awards also held a Nominees’ Celebration on 17 March 2023 at The Londoner hotel, where the the Industry Recognition Awards were handed out (see more, below).
Also see: Olivier Award-nominated shows to book right now
What date are the Olivier Awards 2023 winners announced?
The winners of the 2023 Olivier Awards will be announced on Sunday 2 April 2023. Follow our live coverage on WestEndTheatre.com.
A few winners have already been announced ahead of the awards. The winners of the special awards were announced on 22 February 2023, recognising outstanding contributions to the theatre industry.
The winners are Dame Arlene Phillips, awarded this year’s ‘Special Award’, as a world-renowned choreographer and theatre director, including Grease and her forthcoming new show Guys & Dolls; and Sir Derek Jacobi has been awarded this year’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his remarkable 60-year career on stage and screen.
The winners of the Industry Recognition Awards were announced on 6 March 2023, and the awards will be handed over at the Olivier Awards Nominees Celebration event at The Londoner Hotel on Friday 17 March 2023.
The winners are casting director Pippa Ailion MBE (Ain’t Too Proud, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King ), sound designer Andrew Bruce (Mamma Mia!), visionary arts and charity director Amanda Parker, and The Woman in Black producer Peter Wilson MBE.
What time are the Olivier Awards 2023 announced?
The exact timings for the 2023 Olivier Awards will be announced soon – but it will be the evening of 2 April 2023. Check back for details.
Can I watch and listen to the the Olivier Awards at home?
Yes, in the UK there will be a TV broadcast of highlights of the awards on ITV1 in the UK, on the night of the awards – 2 April 2023.
Outside the UK you can watch a stream at YouTube. Plus the Green Carpet arrivals will also be streamed on YouTube.
On radio in the UK, Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals will be broadcasting the ceremony live.
Where will be 2023 Olivier Awards ceremony be held?
As in previous years, the awards will be announced at a glitzy ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
In previous years the Olivier Awards have been held in a variety of London and West End venues, including the Royal Opera House, the Dominion Theatre, London Palladium, Lyceum Theatre, National Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, Shaftesbury Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Victoria Palace Theatre.
Can I book tickets and attend the Olivier Awards 2023?
Yes, you can book a ticket to see the Awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 2 April 2023. Book tickets here
Who is hosting this year’s Olivier Awards?
This year stage and screen actress Hannah Waddingham will host the awards.
Hannah Waddingham has previously been nominated for three Olivier Awards – for Spamalot, A Little Night Music and Kiss Me, Kate. She has also won a Primetime Emmy for her Apple series Ted Lasso.
Hannah has confirmed that she will sing and dance at the awards this year.
What shows and stars will perform at the 2023 Olivier Awards?
There will be performances from all of the Mastercard Best New Musical nominees – The Band’s Visit, Standing At The Sky’s Edge, Sylvia and Tammy Faye. There will also be performances from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and Sister Act, both nominated for Magic Radio Best Musical Revival.
Additionally, there will be performances from Disney’s Newsies, whose choreographer Matt Cole is nominated for the Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer, multi-Olivier winner The Book Of Mormon will be celebrating with a performance marking 10 years in the West End.
Special Award winner, Dame Arlene Phillips, will be honoured on the night with a special performance from Grease the Musical.
Hannah Waddingham has also confirmed that she will sing and dance in the opening of the show – joined by showbiz pals.
Who is directing and choreographing this year’s Olivier Awards?
Acclaimed choreographer Anthony Van Laast (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Mamma Mia!) is tasked with directing and choreographing this year’s awards.
How are the Olivier Award winners chosen?
The Society of London Theatre puts together four panels of people to choose the awards. They are made up of industry professionals (including journalists, casting directors, arts administrators and publishers), theatre “luminaries” and members of the public who have interviewed and been selected based on their passion for London theatre.
The four panels are for theatre, opera, dance and affiliates.
What are the Olivier Awards categories?
The main Olivier Awards categories are Best New Play, Best New Musical, and the Best Actor and Actress categories for both plays and musicals. But there are also lots of other key award categories.
What shows are eligible for a 2023 Olivier Award?
That’s a good question, and the answer is – a lot of shows! This year’s awards are selecting shows that opened between 21 February 2022 and 14 February 2023. The show has to have played in a theatre represented in membership of Society of London Theatre to be considered eligible, but that basically covers most West End theatres.
What theatres in London are eligible for Olivier Awards?
To be eligible to receive an Olivier Award, a show must be playing in one of the Society of London Theatre’s (SOLT’s) member theatres. There are also Affiliate members of SOLT can also put their shows forward, but only if they have opted to pay the Performance Levy to allow all their productions (in their main space) to be eligible for the main category Olivier Awards.
Who are past winners of the Olivier Awards?
Check out our Olivier Awards page for past winners of the awards. Also our Awards Data page for listings of winners going back to 1976.
The big winners of the 2022 Olivier Awards were Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club / Playhouse Theatre, which won a total of 7 awards including best musical revival; and Life Of Pi at the Wyndham’s Theatre, which picked up 5 Olivier Awards including best new play.
Check out the full list of 2022 Olivier Awards winners.
Can I book shows now that have won an Olivier Award?
Yes! Here is a comprehensive list of all shows that have won an Olivier Award and are now playing – or coming soon – to London’s West End and are available to book.
Book 2022 Olivier Award-winning shows or see a list of All Award-winning shows to book in London
Who organises the Olivier Awards?
Ultimately, the Society of London Theatre chief executives are responsible for the awards. The key person organising the awards is Emma De Souza, Head of Marketing and Communications at SOLT, and her team.
How heavy is an Olivier Award?
An Olivier Award looks quite a mighty statuette. It actually weighs 1.6kg and is a bronze statue of Lawrence Olivier playing Henry V in the Old Vic’s 1937 production.
Also see:
Olivier Awards 2022 – Winners full list
