Laurence Olivier Awards

The Laurence Olivier Awards, regarded as the most prestigious awards in London theatre, were established in 1976 in order to recognise distinguished artistic achievement in London theatre and Lord Olivier agreed to have his name associated with them in 1984. The Awards are organised by a number of members of the Society who form the Awards Committee. The Committee is currently chaired by Peter Wilkins.

THE JUDGING
The Awards are judged by four separate panels: the Theatre Panel, the Opera Panel, the Dance Panel and the Affiliates Panel. The Theatre Panel comprises five people chosen for their specialist knowledge and professional experience, who judge plays and musicals, plus eight members of the theatre-going public. Four of these public panelists cover plays and four cover musicals. The Opera, Dance and Affiliates Panels each comprise three professional members and two members of the public. The Affiliates Panel judges productions in theatres represented by the Society’s Affiliate members.

Any new production that opens between January 1 and December 31 in a theatre represented in membership of the Society is eligible for consideration provided it has at least 30 performances. Once proposed and seconded by members of the Society, the productions are then seen by the relevant panel. For the Theatre Awards, the nominations are decided by a postal ballot of all members of the Theatre Panel and all members of the Society. For the Affiliates, Opera and Dance Awards, the Panels alone decide the nominations. All the winners are chosen by relevant Panels in a secret ballot. Only the President of the Society, who counts the votes, knows the results until their announcement at the annual Awards Presentation.

THE AWARD
The bronze Laurence Olivier Award presented to all winners was commissioned by the Society from the sculptor Harry Franchetti. It represents the young Laurence Olivier as Henry V at The Old Vic in 1937.