Laurence Olivier Awards Totally Explained

Everything about Olivier Award totally explained

The Laurence Olivier Awards, previously known as The Society of West End Theatre Awards, were renamed in honour of British actor Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier in 1984, having first been established in 1976. They are presented annually for achievement in London theatre.
The awards are managed and financed by The Society of London Theatre in London and produced by West End producer Adam Spiegel.

2008 Olivier Awards

The nominees for the 2008 Laurence Olivier Awards were announced on February 7th, 2008, with Hairspray receiving a record 11 nods. The winners were announced at the annual ceremony on the 9th of March, and Richard E. Grant hosted the evening. Hairspray swept the ceremony with four awards.

Nominations and Winners

Best Actress

Anne-Marie Duff – Saint Joan, National Theatre, Olivier
Kelly Reilly – Othello, Donmar Warehouse
Kristin Scott Thomas – The Seagull, Royal Court Theatre
Fiona Shaw – Happy Days, National Theatre, Lyttelton
Penelope Wilton – John Gabriel Borkman, Donmar Warehouse

Best Actor

Chiwetel Ejiofor – Othello, Donmar Warehouse

Ian McKellen – King Lear, New London Theatre

Mark Rylance – Boeing-Boeing, Comedy Theatre

John Simm – Elling, Trafalgar Studio 1

Patrick Stewart – Macbeth, Gielgud Theatre Best Performance In A Supporting Role

Michelle Fairley – Othello, Donmar Warehouse

Pam Ferris – The Entertainer, Old Vic

Conleth Hill – Philistines, National Theatre, Lyttelton

Rory Kinnear – The Man of Mode, National Theatre, Olivier Best Newcomer In A Play

David Dawson – The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Gielgud

Tom Hiddleston – Cymbeline, Barbican

Tom Hiddleston – Othello, Donmar Warehouse

Stephen Wight – Dealer’s Choice, Trafalgar Studio 1 Best New Play

A Disappearing Number - Barbican

The Reporter - National Theatre, Cottesloe

Vernon God Little - Young Vic

War Horse - National Theatre, Olivier Best New Comedy

Absurdia: The Crimson Hotel - Donmar Warehouse

Elling - Trafalgar Studio 1

Rafta Rafta - National Theatre, Lyttelton

Whipping It Up - Ambassadors Best Revival

Boeing-Boeing - Comedy Theatre

Dealer’s Choice - Trafalgar Studio 1

Macbeth - Gielgud Theatre

Saint Joan - National Theatre, Olivier

The Seagull - Royal Court Best New Musical

The Drowsy Chaperone - Novello Theatre

Hairspray - Shaftesbury Theatre

The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Parade - Donmar Warehouse Best Musical Revival

Fiddler on the Roof – Savoy Theatre

Little Shop of Horrors – Duke of York’s / Ambassadors

The Magic Flute - Young Vic Best Actress In A Musical

Leanne Jones – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre

Lara Pulver – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

Sheridan Smith – Little Shop of Horrors, Duke of York’s / Ambassadors

Summer Strallen - The Drowsy Chaperone, Novello Theatre Best Actor In A Musical

Michael Ball – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre

Bertie Carvel – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

Henry Goodman – Fiddler on the Roof, Savoy Theatre

Bob Martin – The Drowsy Chaperone, Novello Theatre Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical

Tracie Bennett – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre

Elinor Collett – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre

Shaun Escoffery – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

Alistair McGowan – Little Shop of Horrors, Duke of York’s / Ambassadors Best Director

Rob Ashford – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris – War Horse, National Theare, Olivier

Rupert Goold – Macbeth, Gielgud Theatre

Jack O’Brien – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre Best Theatre Choreographer

Rob Ashford – Parade, Donmar Warehouse

Jerry Mitchell – Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre

Casey Nicholaw – The Drowsy Chaperone, Novello Theatre

Toby Sedgwick – War Horse, National Theatre, Olivier Best Lighting Design

Kenneth Posner for Hairspray - Shaftesbury Theatre

Paul Pyant for The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Howard Harrison for Macbeth - Gielgud Theatre

Paule Constable for War Horse - National Theatre, Olivier Best Set Design

Hairspray - Shaftesbury Theatre

The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Macbeth - Gielgud Theatre

War Horse - National Theatre, Olivier Best Costume Design

The Drowsy Chaperone - Novello Theatre

Hairspray - Shaftesbury Theatre

The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

The Man of Mode - National Theatre, Olivier Best Sound Design

Hairspray - Shaftesbury Theatre

The Lord of the Rings - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Parade - Donmar Warehouse

Saint Joan - National Theatre, Olivier

War Horse - National Theare, Olivier Outstanding Achievement In An Affiliate Theatre

The Brothers Size - the Maria, Young Vic

Cinderella - Theatre Royal, Stratford East

Gone Too Far - The Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court

That Face - Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Best New Opera Production

Agrippina - English National Opera, London Coliseum

La Fille du Regiment - Royal Opera, Royal Opera House

Pelleas et Melisande - Royal Opera, Royal Opera House

Turn of the Screw - English National Opera, London Coliseum Outstanding Achievement In Opera

Natalie Dessay - La Fille du Regiment, Royal Opera House

Gerald Finley - Pelleas et Melisande, Royal Opera House

Angelika Kirchschlager - Pelleas et Melisande, Royal Opera House

David McVicar - Turn of the Screw & Agrippina, London Coliseum Best New Dance Production

Fabulous Beast Dances - Barbican

Jewels - Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House

Mozart - Mark Morris Dance Company, Barbican

The Three Musketeers - Northern Ballet Theatre, Sadler’s Wells Outstanding Achievement In Dance

Savion Glover - Sadler’s Wells

Jonathan Goddard - Richard Alston Dance Company, Sadler’s Wells

The Royal Ballet Company - Jewels, Royal Opera House

Wendy Whelan - Christopher Wheeldon Company (Fool’s Paradise), Sadler’s Wells The event took place in the evening; highlights included Tracie Bennett, one of the winners, shouting "fuck you" to one of the judges who had hinted she wasn't going to win.

Awards

The following list shows the winners in the principal categories since 1989/90. The official London Theatre Guide (See below) provides some other categories and earlier years.

Best New Play

2007–Blackbird by David Harrower

2006–On the Shore of the Wide World by Simon Stephens

2005–The History Boys by Alan Bennett

2004–The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh

2003–Vincent in Brixton by Nicholas Wright

2002–Jitney by August Wilson

2001–Blue/Orange by Joe Penhall

2000–Goodnight Children Everywhere by Richard Nelson

1999–The Weir by Conor McPherson

1998–Closer by Patrick Marber

1997–Stanley by Pam Gems

1996–Skylight by David Hare

1995–Broken Glass by Arthur Miller

1994–Arcadia by Tom Stoppard

1993–Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare

1992–Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman

1991–Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel

1989/90–Racing Demon by David Hare

1988–Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker

1987–Serious Money by Caryll Churchill

1986–Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton

1985–Red Noses by Peter Barnes

1984–Benefactors by Michael Frayn

1983–Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet

1982–Another Country by Julian Mitchell

1981–Children of a Lesser God by Mark Medoff

1980–The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, adapted by David Edgar

1979–Betrayal by [[HaroldPinter

1978–Whose Life is it Anyway? by Brian Clark

1977–The Fire That Consumes by Henry de Montherlant, English version by Vivian Cox with Bernard Miles

1976–Dear Daddy by Denis Cannan

Best New Comedy

2007–John Buchan's The 39 Steps adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble & Nobby Dimon

2006–Heroes by Gerald Sibleyas

2005–No Award

2004–No Award

2003–The Lieutenant Of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh

2002–The Play What I wrote by Hamish McColl, Sean Foley and Eddie Braben

2001–Stones In His Pockets by Marie Jones

2000–The Memory Of Water by Shelagh Stephenson

1999–Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick by Terry Johnson

1998–Popcorn by Ben Elton

1997–Art by Yasmina Reza

1996–Mojo by Jez Butterworth

1995–My Night With Reg by Kevin Elyot

1994–Hysteria by Terry Jonhson

1993–The Rise and Fall Of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright

1992–La Bete by David Hirson

1991–Out Of Order by Ray Cooney

1989/90–Single Spies by Alan Bennett

1988–Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell

1987–Three Men On A Horse by John Cecil Holm and George Abbott

1986–When We Are Married by J.B. Priestley

1985–A Chorus Of Disapproval by Alan Ayckbourn

1984–Up 'N' Under by John Godber

1983–Daisy Pulls It Off by Denise Deegan

1982–Noises Off by Michael Frayn

1981–Steaming by Nell Dunn

1980–Educating Rita by Willy Russell

1979–Middle Age Spread by Roger Hall

1978–Filumena by Eduardo de Filippo, adapted by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall

1977–Privates on Parade by Peter Nichols

1976–Donkey's Years by Michael Frayn
Best Director

2007–Dominic Cooke for The Crucible

2006–Richard Eyre for Hedda Gabler

2005–Nicholas Hytner for The History Boys

2004–Michael Grandage for Caligula

2003–Sam Mendes for Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya

2002–Michael Boyd for Henry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III

2001–Howard Davies for All My Sons

2000 –Trevor Nunn for Summerfolk, The Merchant of Venice and Troilus and Cressida

1999–Howard Davies for The Iceman Cometh

1998–Richard Eyre for King Lear

1997–Des McAnuff for Tommy

1996–Sam Mendes for Company and The Glass Menagerie

1995–Trevor Nunn for The Merchant of Venice and Summerfolk
Best Actor

2007 – Rufus Sewell for Rock 'N' Roll

2006 – Brian Dennehy for Death of a Salesman

2005 – Richard Griffiths for The History Boys

2004 – Matthew Kelly for Of Mice and Men

2003 – Simon Russell Beale for Uncle Vanya

2002 – Roger Allam for Privates on Parade

2001 – Conleth Hill for Stones in his Pockets

2000 – Henry Goodman for The Merchant of Venice

1999 – Kevin Spacey for The Iceman Cometh

1998 – Ian Holm for King Lear

1997 – Antony Sher for Stanley

1996 – Alex Jennings for Peer Gynt

1995 – David Bamber for My Night with Reg

1994 – Mark Rylance for Much Ado About Nothing

1993 – Robert Stephens for Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2

1992 – Nigel Hawthorne for The Madness of George III

1991 – Ian McKellen for Richard III

1989/90 – Oliver Ford Davies for Racing Demon

1989 – Peter O'Toole for Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
Best Actress

2007–Tamsin Greig for Much Ado About Nothing

2005–Clare Higgins for Hecuba

2004–Eileen Atkins for Honour

2003–Clare Higgins for Vincent in Brixton

2002–Lindsay Duncan for Private Lives

2001–Julie Walters for All My Sons

2000 – Janie Dee for Comic Potential

1999–Eileen Atkins for The Unexpected Man

1998–Zoe Wanamaker for Electra

1997–Janet McTeer for A Doll's House

1996–Judi Dench for Absolute Hell

1995–Clare Higgins for Sweet Bird of Youth

1994–Fiona Shaw for Machinal

1993–Alison Steadman for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

1992–Juliet Stevenson for Death and the Maiden

1991–Kathryn Hunter for The Visit

1989/90 – Lea Salonga for Miss Saigon
Best Performance in a Supporting Role
From 2003, the supporting actress and actor categories were combined

2007–Jim Norton for The Seafarer

2006–Noma Dumezweni for A Raisin In The Sun

2005–Amanda Harris for Othello

2004–Warren Mitchell for The Price

2003–Essie Davis for A Streetcar named Desire
Best Actor in a Supporting Role

2002–Toby Jones for The Play What I Wrote

2001–Ben Daniels for All My Sons

2000–Roger Allam for Money

1997–Trevor Eve for Uncle Vanya

1995–Ken Stott for Broken Glass

1994–Joseph Mydell for Perestroika

1993–Julian Glover for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2)

1992–Oleg Menshikov for When She Danced

1991–David Bradley for King Lear

1984–Edward Petherbridge for Strange Interlude

1983–Alan Devlin for A Moon for the Misbegotten

1982–David Healy for Guys and Dolls

1981–Joe Melia for Good

1980–David Threlfall for Nicholas Nickleby

1979–Patrick Stewart for Antony and Cleopatra

1978–Robert Eddison for Twelfth Night

1977–Nigel Hawthorne for Privates on Parade
Best Actress in a Supporting Role

2002–Marcia Warren for Humble Boy

2001–Pauline Flanagan for Dolly West's Kitchen

2000 – Patricia Hodge for Money

1997–Deborah Findlay for Stanley

1995–Dora Bryan for The Birthday Party

1994–Helen Burns for The Last Yankee

1993–Barbara Leigh-Hunt for An Inspector Calls

1992–Frances de la Tour for When She Danced

1991–Sara Crowe for Private Lives

1984–Marcia Warren for Stepping Out

1983–Abigail McKern for As You Like It

1982–Anna Massey for The Importance of Being Earnest

1981–Gwen Watford for Present Laughter

1980 – Suzanne Bertish for Nicholas Nickleby

1979–Doreen Mantle for Death of a Salesman

1978–Elizabeth Spriggs for Love Letters on Blue Paper

1977–Mona Washbourne for Stevie
Best New Musical

2007–Caroline, Or Change, book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori

2006–Billy Elliot the Musical, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, music by Elton John

2005–The Producers, book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan; music and lyrics by Brooks

2004–Jerry Springer - The Opera, music by Richard Thomas, book and lyrics by Stewart Lee & Thomas

2003–Our House, book by Tim Firth, music and lyrics by Madness

2001–Merrily We Roll Along , music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth

2000 – Honk! The Ugly Duckling, music by George Stiles, book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe

1999–Kat and the Kings by David Kramer and Taliep Petersen

1998–Beauty and the Beast, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book by Linda Woolverton

1997–Martin Guerre, book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, music by Schönberg, lyrics by Edward Hardy and Stephen Clark, additional lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and Boublil

1996–Jolson The Musical, written by Francis Essex and Rob Bettinson

1995–Once On This Island, book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty

1994–City of Angels, book by Larry Gelbart, music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by David Zippel

1993–Crazy for You, music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, book by Ken Ludwig

1992–Carmen Jones by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on Meilhac and Halévy's adaptation of Prosper Merimée's Carmen with original music by Bizet

1991–Sunday in the Park with George, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine

1989/90 – Return to the Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton

1988–Candide, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Richard Wilbur

1987–Follies, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Goldman

1986–The Phantom of the Opera, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe

1985–Me and My Girl, book and lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber, music by Noel Gay

1984–42nd Street, music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Al Dubin, book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble

1983–Blood Brothers by Willy Russell

1982–Poppy, book and lyrics by Peter Nichols, music by Monty Norman

1981–Cats, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot

1980 – Sweeney Todd, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Hugh Wheeler, based on the play by Christopher Bond

1979–Songbook (musical), music by Monty Norman, lyrics by Julian More, book by Norman and More

1978–Evita, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

1977–The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, music by Guy Woolfenden

1976–A Chorus Line, book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban
Best Sound Design

2007 - Gareth Fry for Waves at the Royal Nationlal Theatre, Cottlesloe

2006 - Paul Arditti for Billy Eliott The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Best Lighting Design

2006 Don Carlos designed by Paule Constable at the Gielgud

2005 His Dark Materials designed by Paule Constable at the Olivier

2004 Pacific Overtures designed by Hugh Vanstone

2003 Bacchai designed by Peter Mumford

2002 Mark Henderson for A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Playboy of the Western World

2001 Hugh Vanstone for The Cherry Orchard and The Graduate

2000 Mark Henderson for Plenty, Spend Spend Spend, Suddenly Last Summer, The Forest, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Real Thing and Vassa

1999 Hugh Vanstone for The Blue Room and The Unexpected Man

1998 Rick Fisher for Chips With Everything and Lady in the Dark

1997 Chris Parry for Tommy

1996 David Hersey for Burning Blue, The Glass Menagerie and Twelfth Night

1995 Mark Henderson for his work during the year

1994 Rick Fisher for Hysteria, Machinal and Moonlight

1993 Howell Binkley for Kiss of the Spider Woman

1992 Mark Henderson for Murmuring Judges and Long Day's Journey into Night

1991 Jean Kalman for Richard III and White Chameleon
Best Set Design
From 2003, Best Set Design replaced Best Set Designer, reflecting an increase in collaborative efforts.

2006–Hedda Gabler designed by Rob Howell at the Almeida and Duke of York's

2005–His Dark Materials designed by Giles Cadle at the Olivier Theatre

2004–Hitchcock Blonde designed by William Dudley

2003–A Streetcar Named Desire designed by Bunny Christie
Best Set Designer

2002–Tim Hatley for Humble Boy and Private Lives

2001–William Dudley for All My Sons

2000 – Rob Howell for Richard III, Troilus and Cressida and Vassa

1999–Anthony Ward for Oklahoma!

1998–Tim Goodchild for Three Hours After Marriage

1997–Tim Hatley for Stanley

1996–John Napier for Burning Blue

1995–Stephen Brimson Lewis for Design for Living and Les Parents Terribles

1994–Mark Thompson for Hysteria

1993–Ian MacNeil for An Inspector Calls

1992–Mark Thompson for The Comedy of Errors

1991–Mark Thompson for The Wind in the Willows
Best Theatre Choreographer

2006–Peter Darling for Billy Elliot - The Musical

2005–Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear for Mary Poppins

2004–Karen Bruce for Pacific Overtures

2003–Matthew Bourne and Company for Play Without Words

2002–Matthew Bourne for My Fair Lady

2001–Bob Fosse and Ann Reinking for Fosse

2000 – Garth Fagan for The Lion King

1999–Susan Stroman for Oklahoma!

1998–Simon McBurney for The Caucasian Chalk Circle

1997–Bob Avian for Martin Guerre

1996–Dein Perry for Tap Dogs

1995–David Atkins and Dein Perry for Hot Shoe Shuffle

1994–Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas for Stomp!

1993–Susan Stroman for Crazy for You

1992–Rafael Aguilar for Matador

1991–Charles Augins for Five Guys Named Moe A complete list of previous winners and nominations is available at (External Link).Further Information
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