Episode: 1984-12-10 | Airdate: Dec 10, 1984 (75 min)
Presented by the Society of West End Theatres
Introduced by Angela Rippon and Frank Bough from the stage of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. London's West End theatres have seen over 100 productions this year, all of which qualify for consideration by the panel of judges.
Episode: 1985-12-08 | Airdate: Dec 8, 1985 (90 min)
Introduced by Angela Rippon and Frank Bough from the stage of the Dominion Theatre, London
A glittering night of stars who present and receive the highest accolades for their work in the theatre, and enjoy special entertainment representative of all aspects of show business.
London's West End Theatres have seen over a hundred productions this year, revivals, revues, new plays, opera, ballet, and musicals, all of which qualify for consideration by the panel of judges.
The awards include Play of the Year, Comedy of the Year, Musical of the Year; Actor and Actress of the Year; Comedy Performance of the Year; the Most Promising Newcomer of the Year; Outstanding Individual Performance of the Year in Opera and Ballet.
Episode: 1986-12-07 | Airdate: Dec 7, 1986 (80 min)
Presented by The Society of West End Theatre Introduced by Angela Rippon and Denis Quilley from the stage of the Royalty Theatre, London.
A glittering night of the stars who present and receive the highest accolades for their work in the theatre, and enjoy special entertainment from West End shows. The awards include: Play of the Year, Comedy of the Year Musical of the Year, Actor and Actress of the Year; Most Promising Newcomer of the Year, Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Opera and Dance
Stars presenting awards include: John Alderton , Alan Bates Cyd Charisse , Tom Conti Sir Geraint Evans Frankie Howerd John Mortimer, Christopher Reeve , Twiggy. Among the shows represented in the gala evening are: La cage aux folles; Chess, HMS Pinafore; The Phantom of the Opera; Wonderful Town and featuring Michael Clark
Episode: 1988-01-24 | Airdate: Jan 24, 1988 (110 min)
Presented by the Society of West End Theatre Introduced by Russ Abbot and Julia McKenzie from the stage of the Victoria Palace Theatre,
London in the presence of HRH The Prince Edward. A glittering night of stars who present and receive the highest accolades for their work in the theatre, and enjoy special entertainment from West End shows.
The awards include play of the year, comedy of the year, musical of the year, actor and actress of the year, the most promising newcomer of the year, and outstanding achievement of the year in opera and dance.
Stars presenting awards include: Jill Gascoine, Charlton Heston, Hinge and Bracket, Ian McKeUen and Mary Martin
Among the shows represented in the gala are: Kiss Me Kate, Blues in the Night, Up on the Roof, Follies, The Rink, South Pacific, The Phantom of the Opera
Episode: 1989-01-29 | Airdate: Jan 29, 1989 (95 min)
Presented by The Society of West End Theatre and introduced by Sue Lawley and Anthony Hopkins from the stage of The Dominion Theatre, London, in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales. Presenters inculde Anthony Quayle , Julia McKenzie , Brian Rix , Beryl Reid, Anthony Dowell , Rowan Atkinson and Dave Allen.
The greatest talent in the theatre is gathered tonight to present and receive the highest accolades in West End theatre. Among the awards are: the Play of the Year, Comedy of the Year, Musical of the Year, Actor and Actress of the Year and Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Opera and Dance. Interwoven into the awards ceremony are some magical moments from productions both past, present and future. Material includes excerpts from the four nominated musicals: Blood Brothers, Candide, The Wizard of Oz and Babes in Arms.
Brigadoon represents the present West End theatre and Elaine Page performs in an excerpt from the forthcoming production of Anything Goes. While The Royal Opera is seen in an excerpt from Die Fledermaus.
Episode: 1990-04-08 | Airdate: Apr 8, 1990 (70 min)
Hosted by Jane Asher and Tom Conti from the stage of the Dominion Theatre, London. The greatest talent in the theatre is gathered here tonight to present and receive the highest accolades for performance and craftmanship during the past year of West End theatre. The awards include: Play of the Year, Comedy of the Year, Musical of the Year, Actor and Actress of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Opera and Dance. The award ceremony features highlights from West End theatre successes with live excerpts from nominated productions including "Anything Goes", "Buddy", "Return to the Forbidden Planet" and "Miss Saigon". The English National Opera perform the much acclaimed "Street Scene" by Kurt Weill.
Episode: 1991-04-07 | Airdate: Apr 7, 1991 (80 min)
The theatre world gathers to celebrate the successes of the past year and to reward its finest performers and craftsmen. Hosted by Murder She Wrote star Angela Lansbury from stage of the Olivier Theatre, Royal
National Theatre, London and presented by the Society of West End Theatre it features live excerpts from nominated productions including The Rocky Horror Show, Show Boat, Five Guys Named Moe and the forthcoming production of Carmen Jones.
Episode: 1992-04-26 | Airdate: Apr 26, 1992 (85 min)
Some of the greatest talent in theatre is gathered tonight to present and receive the highest accolade for their performances or craftmanship during the past year of West End theatre.
Hosted by Diana Rigg from London's Dominion Theatre, the awards are presented by the Society of West End Theatre. The Laurence Olivier Awards are judged by members of the public and independent professionals.
There are 23 categories, including the BBC Award for Play of the Year, nominations for which are Angels in America, Death and the Maiden, The Madness of George III and Three Birds Alighting on a Field. Interwoven with the ceremony are excerpts from the musicals Carmen Jones and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the comedy An Evening with Gary Lineker, as well as In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, Alan Bennett 's The Madness of George III , Talking Heads, and Death and the Maiden.
Episode: 1993-04-19 | Airdate: Apr 19, 1993 (60 min)
The top personalities in theatre present and receive the highest accolade for their work during the past year of West End theatre. Awards presented will include best actor, best actress, outstanding achievement in opera and dance, best play and best musical, interspersed with excerpts from Assassins, Carousel, Crazy for You, Kiss of the Spiderwoman. There's also a musical tribute to the work of Noel Coward. Hosted by Tim Rice from the stage of London's Dominion Theatre.
Episode: 1994-04-18 | Airdate: Apr 18, 1994 (90 min)
Now in their 18th year, these awards aim to encourage young talent and creative new work as well as recognising distinction in theatre, opera and dance. There are 24 categories, including the BBC Award for Best Play, for which four plays - Arcadia, Oleanna, Perestroika and The Last Yankee have been nominated. The winners in each category will be chosen by a panel that comprises members of the public and critics.
Among the stars presenting tonight's awards at the London Palladium are Alan Bates , John Hurt , Felicity Kendal , Helen Mirren , Jonathan Price and Richard Wilson. And of course there will be excerpts from some London theatre successes, including Sweeney Todd, Romeo and Juliet, Piaf and Sunset Boulevard.
Episode: 1995-04-03 | Airdate: Apr 3, 1995 (90 min)
Presented by the Society of London Theatre.
The greatest theatrical talents present or receive accolades for performances or craftsmanship on the London stage. Among those appearing are David Bamber , Lionel Bart , Tracie Bennett , James Bolam , Dora Bryan , Betty Buckley , Tim Flavin , Maria Friedman , Sheila Gish , John Gordon-Sinclair , Nigel Hawthorne , Ruthie Henshall , Barry James and Bob Peck.
Episode: 1996-02-19 | Airdate: Feb 19, 1996 (90 min)
The past year's outstanding performances on the London stage are recognised by the Society of London Theatre in a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House. Many of Britain's foremost actors are amongthose nominated in different categories of the world's premier theatrical awards, including Michael Gambon , Judi Dench and Diana Rigg.
The evening will also include highlights from many of the capital's stage successes, featuring excerpts from Fame, The Glass Menagerie and Company.
Episode: 1997-02-17 | Airdate: Feb 17, 1997 (80 min)
The Society of London Theatre honours top theatrical talent for their performances and craftsmanship during the past year.
The evening features highlights from many of London's stage successes, including Smokey Joe 's Cafe, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and appearances by stars Sian Phillips , Brian Conley , Kevin McNally , Paul Nicholas , David Suchet , Marvin Hamlisch , Gene Wilder and Charlotte Rampling. Presented by Clive Anderson.
Episode: 1998-02-23 | Airdate: Feb 23, 1998 (75 min)
The Society of London Theatre honours top theatrical talent at this year's awards ceremony, taking place at the Albery theatre.The evening features highlights from shows including the hit-musical Chicago, which is nominated in seven award categories, Popcorn, The Front Page and Beauty and the Beast.
Stars appearing include Ben Elton , Michael Ball , Dame Edna Everage , Julia McKenzie , Ruthie Henshall , Simon Callow and Ute Lemper. Presented by Clive Anderson.
Episode: 1999-02-15 | Airdate: Feb 15, 1999 (60 min)
The Society of London Theatre honours top theatrical talent at this year's prestigious awards ceremony. Two of Hollywood's biggest stars could take the most coveted awards -
Nicole Kidman has been nominated as Best Actress and Kevin Spacey as Best Actor, but it'is Oklahoma!, with nine nominations, which is expected to dominate.
Some of the stars presenting tonight are Sir Nigel Hawthorne , Joan Collins , Elaine Page , Leslie Ash and Richard Dreyfuss. Hosted by Clive Anderson.
Episode: 2000-02-20 | Airdate: Feb 20, 2000 (60 min)
The stage is set at London's Lyceum Theatre as Ewan McGregor , Charlton Heston , Cate Blanchett , Al Murray , Vanessa Redgrave , Juliet Stevenson , Sir Nigel Hawthorne and Alan Bates are among the celebrities gathered for the Society of London Theatre's awards ceremony, which reviews the theatre year. Hosted by Clive Anderson.
Episode: 2001-02-24 | Airdate: Feb 24, 2001 (105 min)
Clive Anderson hosts the star-studded annual ceremony honouring Britain's finest theatrical talent. Competition is fierce, with stars such as Jessica Lange and Helen Mirren nominated for best actress, and Sean Campion and Conleth Hill up against Michael Gambon , Bill Nighy and Simon Russell Beale for best actor award. Other categories include best new play and best new musical, while guests presenting awards include Sacha Distel , Patricia Hodge , Victoria Wood and the League of Gentlemen.
Episode: 2002-02-16 | Airdate: Feb 16, 2002 (60 min)
Coverage of the star-studded ceremony at London's Victoria Palace honouring the finest talent in theatre.
Clive Anderson plays host to the awards which celebrate their 26th year, presenting a review of the theatre year and excerpts from some of the major productions. Artists featured in the show include Lindsay Duncan , Clive Owen , Fiona Shaw , Martine McCutcheon , Rufus Sewell , Alison Steadman , Jonathan Pryce and the League of Gentlemen.
Episode: 2003-02-15 | Airdate: Feb 15, 2003 (60 min)
The prestigious annual ceremony honouring the past year's best theatre, hosted by Clive Anderson from London's Lyceum Theatre. Thespians hoping it will be their night incude Gwyneth Paltrow and Emily Watson , both nominated for best actress, and Simon Russell
Beale and Mark Rylance, who are up against David Tennant and Michael Gambon for best actor. Other categories include best new play and best new musical, while guests presenting awards include Judi Dench , Ian McKellen , Richard Wilson and Lesley Garrett.
Episode: 2016-04-04 | Airdate: Apr 4, 2016
This year the awards will be hosted by Michael Ball with special guest presenters including Kit Harington, Amber Riley, Laura Carmichael, Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton, Matthew Bourne, Sharon D. Clarke, Paul Copley, Daniel Evans, Julia McKenzie, Lesley Manville, Vanessa Redgrave, Juliet Stevenson, Zoë Wanamaker and Leigh Zimmerman
Nominees this year include Benedict Cumberbatch for Hamlet, Adrian Lester for Red Velvet, Nicole Kidman for Photograph 51, Matt Henry for Kinky Boots, Denise Gough for People, Places and Things and Imelda Staunton for Gypsy.
Episode: 2017-04-11 | Airdate: Apr 11, 2017
This year's Olivier Awards has performances from a variety of Olivier nominated musicals.
Gary Barlow and Tim Firth will open the show with a unique performance with the cast of The Girls. American star Amber Riley will perform the show-stopping And I Am Telling You from Dreamgirls. Tim Minchin will be flying in to represent Groundhog Day which has recently begun previewing on Broadway.
Fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber will be treated to a fabulous performance from the multi-talented cast of School Of Rock The Musical and a performance from Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's acclaimed production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which is set to return this summer.
Additionally, there will be an exclusive performance from Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes, nominated for Best Entertainment and Family - the production is currently on tour across the UK.
Broadway legend and six-time Tony Award-winner, Audra McDonald, will perform accompanied by the Olivier Awards' orchestra during the show's In Memoriam section.
Episode: 2018-04-08 | Airdate: Apr 8, 2018 (115 min)
Catherine Tate hosts the 2018 edition of the Olivier Awards - the biggest night in British theatre - from the Royal Albert Hall. There will be performances from Hamilton - which is up for a record-breaking 13 nominations - and other nominated musicals including 42nd Street, Follies, Young Frankenstein, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Girl From The North Country, and a very special celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Episode: 2019-04-07 | Airdate: Apr 7, 2019 (110 min)
Jason Manford hosts tonight's awards from the Royal Albert Hall. Highlights from the biggest night in British theatre include performances from Company and Come From Away, which are both up for nine nominations each. Extracts from other nominated musicals including Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, The King & I and Six, plus a very special celebration to mark the 20th anniversary of ‘The Lion King'.
Episode: 2020-10-25 | Airdate: Oct 25, 2020 (80 min)
Jason Manford hosts the prestigious awards from The London Palladium, celebrating the very best of British theatre and featuring unique performances from nine-times nominated musical & Juliet, and Dear Evan Hansen, which has received seven nominations.
Other nominees include Toby Jones, James McAvoy, Wendell Pierce and Andrew Scott vying for Best Actor and Hayley Atwell, Sharon D Clarke, Juliet Stevenson and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who are all up for Best Actress. Jason will be joined by some surprise guests, and lyricist Don Black will be one of two special award winners also being honoured.
Episode: 2022-04-10 | Airdate: Apr 10, 2022
Highlights from the biggest night in British theatre as Jason Manford hosts the ceremony from the Royal Albert Hall, with performances from nominated musicals Cabaret, Life of Pi, Frozen, Back to the Future: The Musical and Moulin Rouge.
Episode: 2023-04-02 | Airdate: Apr 2, 2023 (125 min)
Highlights of the ceremony celebrating the best of British theatre, with West End star Hannah Waddingham hosting at the Royal Albert Hall, where contenders included Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Beverley Knight, David Tennant, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Marisha Wallace. Featuring performances from the casts of musicals Sister Act, Tammy Faye, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! and Disney's Newsies, while Arlene Phillips and Derek Jacobi were honoured with Special and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Episode: 2024-04-14 | Airdate: Apr 14, 2024
West End Superstar Hannah Waddingham hosts tonight's awards from the Royal Albert Hall.
Highlights from the biggest night in British theatre include a spectacular performance from Guys & Dolls, which is up for nine nominations, as well as a very special star-studded performance celebrating the National Theatre's 60th anniversary. Find out who has won the 26 coveted awards including Best Actress, Best Actor, the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director and Best New Musical.
Other contenders include Sheridan Smith, David Tennant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joseph Fiennes, James Norton, Sarah Snook, Sophie Okonedo, Sam Mendes, Nicole Scherzinger and Marisha Wallace.
Episode: 2025-04-06 | Airdate: Apr 6, 2025
Beverley Knight and Billy Porter host the ceremony from the Royal Albert Hall. Highlights include performances from nominated musicals Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof, Starlight Express, and MJ The Musical, alongside a special award to celebrate 40 years of Les Miserables, the West End's longest-running musical.
