When are the Olivier awards, who is nominated, and how to watch the ceremony?
This year’s Olivier Awards nominees have been announced, with Jodie Comer and Paul Mescal set to win big.
The star-studded event recognises talent in the theatre world and will return to London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The awards night will be hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, who is also a three-time Olivier Award nominee and Primetime Emmy winner.
Olivier awards 2023 nominees
Killing Eve’s Comer has been nominated for the Best Actress category for her stellar performance in the legal drama Prima Facie.
Comer starred as Tessa in Suzie Miller’s production at the Harold Pinter Theatre. The actress earned multiple awards for her performance, with tickets to see her selling out almost immediately.
Aftersun’s Mescal has been nominated for Best Actor for his role in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Mescal plays Stanley Kowalski in the revival of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 play, which runs at the Almeida Theatre before transferring to the Phoenix Theatre from March 20.
The actor praised the production, calling it a “formidable cast and creative team, led by the exceptionally talented Rebecca Frecknall”.
My Neighbour Totoro is the most nominated show, with a total of nine Olivier Award nominations. It had a short run at London’s Barbican Theatre recently.
The production comes from the celebrated 1988 animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki, who also made Spirited Away, with original film composer Joe Hisaishi adding the score. It was written by Tom Morton-Smith, best known for Oppenheimer.
Best actress
Jodie Comer - Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre
Patsy Ferran - A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre
Mei Mac - My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre
Janet McTeer - Phaedra, National Theatre
Nicola Walker - The Corn Is Green, National Theatre
Best actor
Tom Hollander - Patriots, Almeida Theatre
Paul Mescal - A Streetcar Named Desire
Rafe Spall - To Kill A Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre
David Tennant - Good, Harold Pinter Theatre
Giles Terera - Blues For An Alabama Sky, National Theatre
Best new play
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy
Patriots
Prima Facie
To Kill A Mockingbird
Best new musical
The Band’s Visit
Standing At The Sky’s Edge
Sylvia
Tammy Faye
Best director
Rebecca Frecknall - A Streetcar Named Desire
Robert Hastie - Standing At The Sky’s Edge
Justin Martin - Prima Facie
Phelim McDermott - My Neighbour Totoro
Bartlett Sher - To Kill A Mockingbird
Olivier Awards 2022: Best dressed
When are the Olivier Awards?
The awards will take place on April 2, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The 2023 full Olivier Awards will be broadcast live on Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals.
How to watch the Olivier Awards
The Olivier Awards will be broadcast on ITV.
How to get tickets for the Olivier Awards
Tickets can be purchased by Mastercard holders only at Priceless, with prices from £44 to £108.
Who was Laurence Olivier?
Laurence Olivier was a famed theatre actor who not only had the prestigious awards named after him but also the National Theatre’s largest auditorium.
He appeared in several stage and screen roles, including Shakespeare productions of Henry V and Hamlet, and dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century.