Each year the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) look for new panellists to help judge categories for the Olivier Awards. Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours.

There are 5 separate panels, with each looking at specific categories for different awards. The panels are Theatre, Affiliate (smaller or non-West End London theatres), Opera, Dance and Family. You cannot serve on more than one panel.

Read below for more information on the types of panellists we look for.

Theatre, Dance, Opera and Affiliate Panels

Panellists are required to see all of the eligible productions in their chosen category. This can include up to 120 plays or musicals in London, though the numbers are usually lower for Affiliate, Opera and Dance. Panellists normally receive two free tickets to each show, plus a free programme. This unpaid position lasts for a year and expenses are not covered.

Please note that you need to be aged 18 years old or over to be considered for this panellist position.

To apply for a panellist place, you will need to write a 150-word review of a production you have seen in the last year, plus provide a list of all the other productions you have seen in that period.

Theatre panel:

Most of these shows will be in West End theatres. You will be assessing the below awards categories:

· Best New Play

· Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play

· Outstanding Musical Contribution

· Best Revival

· Best New Musical

· Best Musical Revival

· Best Costume Design

· Best Sound Design

· Best Set Design

· Best Lighting Design

· Best Director

· Best Theatre Choreographer

· Best Actor in a Supporting Role

· Best Actress in a Supporting Role

· Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

· Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical

· Best Actress in a Musical

· Best Actor in a Musical

· Best Actor

· Best Actress

Affiliate panel:

Our affiliate theatres tend to be smaller spaces and studios (for example Kiln Theatre, Park Theatre, Bush Theatre) and you will be judging the below award category:

· Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre

Dance panel:

The dance panel assesses solely dance productions, you will be judging the below award category:

· Best New Dance Production

Opera panel:

The opera panel assesses solely opera productions, you will be judging the below award category.

· Best New Opera Production

Family Panel

We look for groups of two panellists consisting of an adult (over 18) with an accompanying child (under 14), although we are particularly interested in hearing from families/groups with more than one child in different age groups. This may allow older and younger children to attend shows best suited to their age range. Panellists need to attend all eligible family shows together (adult & child).

To apply for a panellist place, you will need to write a 150-word review of a production you have seen together in the last year, a paragraph telling us a bit about your family/group, plus a list of all the other productions you have seen in that period.

With our family panel, the children’s opinion truly matters to us and they will be fully involved in the decision-making process. You will be judging the below award categories.

· Best Family Show

Now in its 37th year, the Laurence Olivier bursaries are awarded to exceptional students who are entering their final year of drama school. Previous winners have included Michael Sheen, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor and Michaela Coel. Let’s meet some of this year’s recipients…

What does this year’s bursary mean to you?

Erin Findlay (top left): I feel absolutely over the moon and extremely grateful to have been accepted as a recipient. The audition process was a fantastic opportunity within itself, so to have been selected is a cherry on the cake. And because financial stress has been alleviated, I feel extremely motivated to work even harder and make the most out of my final year of training.

Cormac McAlinden (top far left): I am honoured to have even been considered for this bursary and had a fantastic experience on audition day. I felt so welcomed by the panel and everyone involved in making the day possible. This bursary is a lifeline for me as I move into final year and prepare to enter the industry.

Nico Minnott (top right): I am forever grateful for this blessing, as this bursary is crucial to following my dream of becoming a successful actor. I won’t have to worry too much about compromising investment into my art for rent and groceries. Of course, I can’t talk about my love for acting without talking about my love for my mum. Being a single immigrant parent hasn’t been easy for her, and she had always supported me financially, even if it came at the cost of her own comfort. With the bursary, I can finally give myself some independent support – and gift my mum some thank-you cards as well!

Alasdair Linn (lower left): Winning this bursary means feeling ease and relief for the final year of my training. It means dedicating my time to preparing our Rep plays, building characters, and thriving in rehearsal. It means feeling confident and excited to dive feet first into next year. I am incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement in which SOLT has entrusted me.

Thomas Barrett (far right): After having so many issues with Student Finance throughout my first two years, I feel like such a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It takes some of my financial concerns surrounding funding my final year and allows me to focus my attention on completing my course. I am beyond grateful to the board for awarding me The Sir Peter and Lady Saunders Laurence Olivier Bursary.

Gabriel Whalley (centre left): It means a lot to me, and I’m really thankful to everyone on the panel and at SOLT for choosing me. As I head into my third year, the most crucial part of my acting school journey, this support will let me focus entirely on my craft without any distractions. I’m so grateful for this opportunity because it allows me to give my all to my studies, performances, and the connections I make with my peers and mentors, ultimately strengthening my future in the industry.

Elise Aldred (centre right): I was so excited to be given the opportunity to perform on a West End stage, I didn’t even think about winning! For the last two years, I have really struggled working upwards of 24 hours a week, plus my full time training. This money means that I can now really focus on my third year and my career. I am forever grateful!

What do you see as being the most important to the future of the theatre industry?

TB: One of the most important things is the accessibility to theatre, whether it be attending a show or career pathways into the industry. That’s why opportunities such as this are so crucial in breaking down barriers for working class people.

CM: It hinges on recognising and supporting young talent from diverse backgrounds. It is crucial to provide a fair and level playing field for all aspiring talents, both on and off stage, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By offering the support necessary to foster a rich and diverse environment, we can move closer to achieving the goal of ensuring that no deserving talent goes undiscovered.

EF: Funding is crucial to the future of the industry, so that there can be a consistent influx of new talent – and that opportunities can be given to people from all backgrounds and experiences. Theatre shouldn’t be exclusive, it’s a community and opening doors to everyone makes it exciting and powerful.

EA: Musical theatre training needs to be more affordable. I have watched so many incredibly talented young people have to stop following their dream due to financial restrictions. Even after training, actors are having to work 2-3 jobs on top of their show to afford to live. Something does need to change!

AL: Affordable, accessible performances and bold, innovative productions. As a recipient of the bursary, I am passionate about accessibility, in terms of financial, physical, and, as a northerner, regional accessibility. With most of my experience in devised, fringe theatre, I am excited by unconventional, new theatre.

NM: Freedom of expression. We all say “art is subjective,” but I don’t think we really live by that statement. Art deserves to be seen, even if said art is polarising, controversial or unconventional. No great artist in history ever found success by following the rules; they challenged tradition, despite whatever criticism they faced. Not everyone will like what you do, but thus is the way of life.

GW: Diversity in storytelling, both in the characters we play, the stories we tell and the people who play/tell them. Frequent cuts to funding of the arts and threats to funding in arts education means it is now more important than ever to champion inclusion.

What’s your dream role, and why?

NM: Spider-Man – Miles Morales. This was my first ever role, which I played when I first learned how to talk. Swinging around my bedroom, spinning imaginary webs at the mirror; there was no feeling like it. I personally prefer darker characters, but Spider-Man is the exception. I pray that I get to wear the web-slinger’s mask on the big screen one day!

CM: My dream role is Kostya in The Seagull. I studied the character in my course’s first-year Chekhov intensive and got to play the character in the famous bandage scene with his mother. I found him fascinating; he unlocked a deeper appreciation in me for what is possible in theatre. I would love to revisit the character in the future and tell his whole story.

TB: I don’t have a particular dream role as there are so many avenues I’d like to explore. I do have a new-found love for Shakespeare and would love to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe – and I’d also love to originate a theatre role, one day!

EF: I’d love to create my own dream role! I feel really inspired to create my own work at this stage of my training. And while there are thousands of exciting characters out there, I would love the opportunity to bring my own words to a stage – words that reflect my own experiences, influences, and voice.

AL: My dream role is Macbeth. The first play I remember watching was a schools version of Macbeth. We were in our school hall on a summer’s day, and I remember feeling the Court, feeling the witches, feeling the drama. As part of the schools version we created Lord and Lady versions of ourselves: I was Lord Linn of Sheffield, and I loved playing him! My passion for the play – its poetry, its atmosphere – has only increased since. Indeed, the ‘vaulting ambition’ speech was one of my monologues for the SOLT Bursary audition.

GW: I have many dream roles on my bucket list but if I had to say one, I’d love to play an anti-hero like Hamlet, or a villain. I want to have the most fun with a role as I can, and what role is more fun to tackle than these?!

EA: Throughout my childhood, Mary Poppins was on a constant rotation of films I watched with my family. It was the first musical I was in, so I think of it as the musical that got me into musicals. I recently played Mary Poppins for the wonderful Mark Hedges in the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama showcase, which has made me realise she’s my dream role. What a beautiful and magical character to play!

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Laurence Olivier Bursaries – you can find out more about the bursaries and see all the winners on the Official London Theatre website.

Notable nominees such as Rose Ayling-Ellis, Beverley Knight, Rob Madge, Rafe Spall and Giles Terera were in attendance, among many of the other nominated talent.

During a short presentation, the co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre, Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, and President Eleanor Lloyd, honoured the recipients of the Industry Recognition award. The four winners include casting director Pippa Ailion; Andrew Bruce, founder and chairman of Autograph Sound Design; Amanda Parker, founder and former director of Inc Arts UK, and finally executive chairman & joint chief executive of PW Productions Peter Wilson. You can learn more about them in our article here.

We also took time to recognise and congratulate this year’s Laurence Olivier Bursary recipients, drama student who are awarded a financial bursary to help them complete their training.

Check out some photos of this wonderful event, and the nominees mingling as they get excited for the big day on Sunday 2 April at the Royal Albert Hall!

Keala shot to fame as Lettie Lutz, the bearded woman in P.T. Barnum’s circus in The Greatest Showman, in which she sings ‘This Is Me’, which won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2018. You might have caught her singing This Is Me at last year’s Royal Variety Performance!

Although this will be her first role on the West End, Keala is no stranger to Broadway! She originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands On A Hardbody in 2013, and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for the role. She was also in the original Broadway cast of Waitress in 2016, playing the role of Becky, and played Madame Thernardier in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables.

She will join the Olivier Award-winning Miriam-Teak Lee to play Juliet’s Nurse in smash-hit pop jukebox musical & Juliet from 29 March to 18 June this year at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Miriam-Teak Lee – who was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2020 for her performance as Juliet – leads a cast including Cassidy Janson, who also won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, Tim Mahendran as Francois and Alex Thomas-Smith as May.

David Bedella continues his Olivier Award-winning performance as Lance until Saturday 26 March, as does Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo. New cast for these roles from Tuesday 29 March will be announced at a later date.

The cast of & Juliet performed at West End LIVE for the second time last year, you can check out their fab performance below!

You can catch Keala performing on ITV’s Loose Women tomorrow and again on BBC 1’s Big Night of Musicals this Saturday.

Grab tickets to see & Juliet below, and if you’re booking for performances in January and February you can get tickets from just £20!

Born in Wichita, Kansas in the 1950s, Karla performed internationally in theatres and on television, acting and singing. She performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, the Teatro Real, Cairo Opera House, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She found particular fame as Queenie in the Houston Grand Opera’s revival of musical Show Boat. Going on to take this production to Broadway, Burns won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award.

She came to play Queenie in productions all around the world, and became the first Black performer to receive a Laurence Olivier Award, winning for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for the 1991 production at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Later, she became known for her one-woman show, Hi-Hat Hattie, playing Hattie McDaniel who was herself the first Black actor to win an Oscar. She was also a regular actor in New York’s Shakespeare In The Park.

Kevin Clifton, Faye Tozer, Charlotte Gooch and Cavin Cornwall are to join Adam Cooper to lead the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment production of the Olivier Award-nominated musical Singin’ in the Rain.

The production will play a strictly limited run at Sadler’s Wells from Friday 30 July – Sunday 5 September 2021 (Press Night: Thursday 5 August), ahead of a 2022 UK tour (tour casting to be announced). 

Further casting includes Sandra Dickinson, who will appear as Dora Bailey, Michael Matus as Roscoe Dexter and Imogen Brook as Zelda Zanders. The ensemble features Briana Craig, Alistair Crosswell, Lavinia Fitzpatrick, Alex Given, Ryan Gover, Ashleigh Graham, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Molly Rees Howe, Thomas Inge, Robin Kent, Sam Lips, Joshua Lovell, George Lyons, Heather Scott Martin, Amonik Melaco, Ashleigh Morris, Peter Nash, Megan Spiers, and Ellie May Wilson.

Visit Sadler’s Wells’ website for more information.

Hit musical, Come From Away, extends booking until February 2022

The Olivier Award-winning musical which will reopen on 22 July at the Phoenix Theatre has extended their booking period until 2022.

We know it’s a little early, but we’d be mad not to remind you that our Come From Away Theatre Tokens eGifts make a great Christmas gift!

Winner of every major Best Musical award when it opened in the West End in March 2019, Come From Away tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

What goes into the making of Cruise

We caught up with writer and performer of Cruise, Jack Holden, and director Bronagh Lagan to chat all about bringing their ideas to life and the inspiration behind the scenes.

Check out our coverage of the very first performance last night:

Headline acts announced for the brand new Wonderment: Magic & Illusion

Playing at the Palace Theatre from Friday 16 July – Monday 30 August, the brand new Wonderment: Magic & Illusion brings together some of the greatest entertainers live on stage to electrify, surprise and delight audiences.

Joining the previously announced Chris Cox (Chris Cox’s Mind Boggling Magic, CBBC) and Josephine Lee (Britain’s Got Talent, ITV) will be Young & Strange, Edward Hilsum and Amazi Olayiwola and Symoné (who will split the run with their hula hooping finesse).

Alongside live performance, Young and Strange’s Richard Young and Sam Strange create online video content to showcase original and exciting formats for magic. When the duo videobombed the background of a live Sky News broadcast, the clip went viral with over 20 million views across various platforms in just a few days. With credits including Penn & Teller: Fool Us and ITV1’s The Next Great Magician, the pair also headline the world’s largest international touring magic show Champions Of Magic.

For five years, Edward Hilsum starred alongside Young & Strange in the record-breaking Champions of Magic. His original shows have received acclaim from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to Las Vegas and he was invited to be part of the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. In 2020, Edward Hilsum completed an unprecedented hat-trick by becoming the first person to win all three of The Magic Circle’s competitions and more incredibly, to hold all three titles at the same time!

Performing from 16 – 26 July and 18 – 28 August will be Amazi Olayiwola. An international hula hooper, she’s performed at the National Theatre, the Tate and Glastonbury Festival as well as for Children in Need and BBC’s Crackerjack. Symoné will take to the stage from 28 July – 16 August, combining hula hooping, roller skating and dance with psychedelic style. Her previous clients include Instagram, ASOS, Kate Nash, and Sun Ra’s Arkestra. They both currently hold a Guinness World Record with their hoop troupe, Marawa’s Majorettes.

These incredible acts join the multi-award-winning mind reader, Chris Cox, and the most talked about woman in magic, Josephine Lee. Chris Cox has sold out UK tours and runs at Fringe Festivals from Edinburgh to New Zealand, and is the only mind reader in history to have played the West End, Broadway and Sydney Opera House. Josephine Lee took the magic world by storm after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. Her dynamic, modern spin on illusion saw her act hit millions of views overnight.

Featuring breathtaking illusion and amazing acrobatics, Wonderment: Magic & Illusion will bring variety performance in the West End bang up-to-date with performances from artists at the cutting edge of their crafts.

Grab your tickets to see this one-of-a-kind West End show this summer!

Mischief Movie Night In To Be Streamed Live Around The World

Today the Mischief team announce the return of Mischief Movie Night In, which will be streamed live this summer from 1 July – 1 August 2021 and for the first time tickets are also available to join the strictly limited studio audience at London’s Riverside Studios. Both streaming and in person tickets go on sale on Friday 21 May and are from £10.

You still decide the genre, the location, and the title – and remember, every performance is a completely different show! Book for a regular Pay-Per-View Pass, Participation Pass or join us in the studio for these hilarious nights-in (or out) wherever you are!

This new run will include Sequel Sunday on 18 July and a binge-worthy Trilogy Day on 31 July. After the 5.00pm movie, audiences can make suggestions for what happens in the sequel – Mischief will then improvise it that same evening at 8.00pm, and 11.00pm on the Trilogy Day.

1. Relive the glitz and glam of the Oliviers

You can watch the highlights from the 2020 Olivier Awards on the Official London Theatre YouTube channel. While we couldn’t hold the Oliviers we’d planned, we still managed to honour our amazing nominees and winners and celebrate the magic of British theatre in a filmed ceremony last autumn.

Catch up on some of the best bits of the show as well as clips from the Olivier Awards over the last 10 years!

2. Connect with other theatre fans

We know that lockdown can be lonely, and one of the things we’re missing is the amazing sense of community and shared experience that surrounds theatre. So we’ve set up a brand new weekly Theatre Chat that you can join every Tuesday evening on Instagram Live.

Official London Theatre’s Jess, who’ll be setting up the chats each week said:

“Help, my boyfriend hates musical theatre! Being an avid theatre-goer, it’s no surprise that this past year has been challenging. One of the things I didn’t expect, though, is how much I’d miss not being able to fangirl about anything remotely theatre related – my partner couldn’t be less interested!

“I’m sure I’m not the only one going through this, so here at Official London Theatre we want to bring theatre-lovers together to talk about theatre memories, favourite shows, or even just the fact you finally managed to belt that top C without cracking. “

So head over to the OLT Instagram for 6pm on Tuesdays to chat all things stagey. See you there!

3. Binge some musicals

We’ve put all our theatre nerd heads together and come up with a great list of all the musicals you can see right now on Netflix and Disney Plus in the UK.

So dim your lights, grab a glass of wine or a hot chocolate, pop on your cosiest slippers and get ready to belt it out along with your favourite musical. You could even put together a watch party and watch along with the friends and family you’re missing while we’re all staying at home!

4. Watch a theatre show online

We’ve put together a handy calendar of all the best bits you can catch online. Loads of theatres have put full productions – both old and new – online so you can still get a hit of theatre goodness while they remain closed.

Some theatres are selling online tickets to productions that should have gone ahead, which is a great way to support theatres who have been forced to once again close their doors to the public. There are plenty of bits and bobs online for free though – from full shows to video tours and historical archives, so check it out!

5. Do some mindful colouring

One of our fantastic designers, Tess, has put together some beautiful colouring sheets for your favourite West End hits. Colouring’s not just for kids! It can be incredibly relaxing and help to focus and clear your mind.

From Six to Harry Potter to Matilda, check out our page full of colouring sheets, fire up your printer and get creative. Don’t forget to share your finished artwork with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

…treat someone else

Of course, it’s not just getting that makes you feel good; sharing the love can put a huge smile on your face too. If you’ve got a theatre-lover in your life who’s feeling a bit glum about a birthday in lockdown, cheer them up with the promise of theatre once this is all over.

Theatre Tokens can be used at 260 venues across the UK, including the West End, and have no expiry date so you can use them whenever you like!

As part of SOLT and UK Theatre, we are a not-for-profit organisation and have run Theatre Tokens for 36 years and so you can be reassured that every penny you spend with us is supporting the industry when we need it most, both now and in the future – win win!

1

Sunday evening is hosted by Jason Manford and viewers can tune into the Official London Theatre YouTube from 9.30pm for the start of the evening’s proceedings and then move to ITV at 10.20pm. Viewers outside of the UK will be able to watch the entire programme on the Official London YouTube channel.

Listeners will be able to also enjoy a highlights show on Magic Radio from 8pm until 10pm on Monday 26th October, with extended coverage across the week on digital radio station Magic at the Musicals.

Sharon D. Clarke will be performing and paying tribute to Don Black as he receives the Olivier Special Award for contribution to theatre. In a career spanning six decades, Black has written lyrics for theatre productions including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love and Whistle Down the Wind, and for music artists including Quincy Jones, Lulu, Meat Loaf and Michel Legrand.

Don Black will be presented his award by Lord Lloyd Webber and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. The Duchess will be making a poignant speech about the importance of live theatre.

Ian McKellen will be honoured in his 80th year for his Ian McKellen On Stage tour which visited over 80 theatres, with profits going towards different causes at each theatre, from repairs to outreach programmes and talent development.

The show will also feature performances from nominees Sam Tutty, star of Dear Evan Hansen, and Miriam-Teak Lee, star of & Juliet.

Julian Bird said, “This is not how we had originally planned to celebrate this year’s outstanding Olivier nominees, but like so many others we have adapted to these challenging times. I am thrilled that we have been able to safely pull together this programme that will hopefully engage and inspire audiences at home whilst reminding them of the talent and vibrancy within our theatre industry.

In response to the pandemic, we have set up the Theatre Artists Fund spearheaded by Sam Mendes to help the many talented freelancers in our industry who are in financial hardship. As part of the broadcasts there will be a special feature with Sam and some of the recipients of the grant.”

Following the cancellation, due to the pandemic, of the ceremony in April, we are delighted to be able to reveal this year’s winners in an innovative format to celebrate our globally renowned artists, both on stage and behind the scenes.

The awards show will be broadcast from different areas within the London Palladium and contain a mixture of the awards themselves, unique performances, interviews and some very special moments. Due to the ongoing situation, the majority of the show will be pre-filmed in the days leading up to the broadcasts. The main show will be broadcast on ITV, with additional awards being shown in a pre-show broadcast the same evening on Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel.

Listeners will be able to tune in to a show highlighting the winners and key moments on Magic Radio from 8pm until 10pm on Monday 26 October, with extended coverage across the week on digital radio station Magic at the Musicals. More details of performances and guests will be announced nearer the date.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of Society of London Theatre and Executive Producer of the Olivier Awards, said:

“We are excited to be able to honour this year’s nominees and winners during a very difficult time for our industry, and demonstrate the outstanding talent we have in our theatre sector in the UK. Coming together to celebrate their achievements feels more poignant now than ever before as we all fight collectively to save our theatre industry. I hope that everyone working in, or simply missing the theatre, will join us on the 25 October to celebrate last year’s achievements and remain hopeful for our future”.

Due to the minimal amount of new productions that have been able to open this year, we currently anticipate the next Olivier Awards ceremony taking place in April 2022. We will be announcing plans to celebrate the theatre industry in 2021 at a later date.

SOLT is establishing a group to carefully review criteria for the awards in future years to ensure all aspects of diversity and inclusion are considered. We would envisage announcing conclusions next Spring.

Nominations for the Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard were announced on 3 March.

FAQs

Q: Will there be performances from shows?
A: Yes, there will be a small number of performances from some of this year’s nominated shows.

Q: Will additional footage be shown in the pre-show airing on YouTube?
A: Between the YouTube pre-show and the ITV programme, all of this year’s awards will be broadcast in full.

Q: What can I do to celebrate?
A: Put your glad rags on, pour yourself a tipple and get involved! We’ll be live across our social channels during the ceremony, so send us your pictures, predictions and reactions using #OlivierAwards.

Q: Will I be able to catch up on the ceremony if I miss it?
A: Yes, the programme will be available on the ITV Hub after it has aired.

Q: Is there a plan for the Olivier Awards 2021?
A: Due to the minimal amount of new productions that have been able to open this year, we currently anticipate the next Olivier Awards ceremony taking place in April 2022. We will be announcing plans to celebrate the theatre industry in 2021 at a later date.

For anyone who hasn’t met Harry, let’s just say he’s a true West End legend. So much so that in 2017, he was awarded an inaugural Be Inspired Award at the Olivier Awards after being nominated by his family and friends for his commitment to inspiring others through his love of theatre in his personal and professional life.

His journey into the world of theatre began in 1980 when he started working at the Shaftesbury Theatre as part of the Front of House team. A few years later, he became a Stage Door Keeper and today, he is the first face seen by every performer and staff member entering the building in the evenings.

Hello Harry! – A Celebration of 40 Years at Stage Door Online Concert will see performers from across the West End and beyond coming together to celebrate his incredible career and the thousands of lives he has touched over the years. It is also a celebration of the history of Shaftesbury Theatre and the important role it has played in the West End.

The online concert will feature songs and stories from shows that have been staged at the Shaftesbury Theatre over the last 40 years, starting off with Hello Dolly!, the first show of 1980, all the way to the present day with & Juliet.

Working with the Shaftesbury Theatre, Giles Terera has put together an eclectic and exciting guest list of performers, who are all connected to Harry and to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Some of these include Dame Judi Dench, Anthony Hopkins, Amanda Holden, Chita Rivera, Eddie Izzard, Imelda Staunton and Beverley Knight.

Join us in celebrating Harry and the amazing history of the Shaftesbury Theatre by tuning into our YouTube channel at 7.30 pm on 15 July. The concert itself will be free of charge and will remain online. If you are able to donate, there will be a link to Cancer Research UK, Black Lives Matter and The Black Curriculum, charities which have been chosen by Harry and Giles.

Harry has been a familiar and friendly face to performers and audience members and we hope that this concert will help bring people together in what is a very difficult time for our industry.

If you’d like to share a story about Harry or if you’d like to get involved in the concert celebration, please get in touch at feedback@shaftesburytheatre.com or call 02073951301. You can also share your love for Harry by sending a selfie of yourselves holding up a sign that says HELLO HARRY or THANK YOU HARRY. These images will be featured in the concert.

We can’t wait to tune in and hope you join us too!

We’ve given you 4 minutes on the clock and multiple choices to select from, give it your best shot! And as always, don’t forget to let us know how you did on Facebook and Twitter!

Quiz not displaying properly? Try this link.

Mamma Mia! announced today that tickets for the Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard are now on sale!

If you’re a Mastercard cardholder and want to celebrate the best of London theatre while experiencing the glitz, the glam and once-in-a-lifetime performances, visit www.priceless.com or check out our article which gives you all the best tips on how to get your tickets.

British comedy enthusiasts, brace yourselves…comedy icon, Paul Merton will be making his West End musical debut as he joins the new production of Hairspray The Musical.

Known as one of the UK’s greatest comedians and for starring in BBC’s Have I Got News For You, Paul will be making his West End musical debut as Wilbur Turnblad, starring alongside Michael Ball who returns to his legendary Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad in the huge-hearted, multi-award-winning smash-hit musical playing at the magnificent London Coliseum from 23 April – 29 August.

Joining Paul and Michael in the lineup is Lizzie Bea (Kinky Boots UK Tour, Becoming Nancy) in the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad, acclaimed West End Star Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls, Waitress) as Motormouth, Rita Simmons (Eastenders) as Velma Von Tussle and Jonny Amies (Granchester, Sex Education) as Link Larkin.

The show-stopping, all-singing, all-dancing show tells the story of Tracy Turnblad; a big girl with big hair and big dreams. Can she make it on the local TV dance show, win the heart of teen heartthrob Link Larkin and bring everyone together – whatever their colour, size or hairdo? 

Packed with infectiously feel-good songs, this inspirational, fun-loving musical is back and bigger than ever! It’s the show that gives maximum lift.. but for 18 weeks only. Don’t miss out – book your tickets now.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery today announced its closure after four years in the West End.

The critically acclaimed West End production will play its final performance on Sunday 3 May after completing a successful four-year run at the Criterion Theatre, and playing for over 2,000 performances in London and on tour. The smash-hit show opened at the Criterion Theatre on 21 April 2016 and went on to be nominated for Best New Comedy at the 2017 Olivier Awards.

Producer Kenny Wax said today: “After a fabulous four-year run at the Criterion Theatre, we have decided that now is the right time to draw an end to this incredible production. A four-year run is a remarkable achievement from which we all take much pride in. Mischief Theatre continue to have a magnificent presence in the West End and we hope audiences who enjoy The Comedy About A Bank Robbery will go on to see their other productions playing at venues across the UK.”

If you’ve yet to see the show, it’d be criminal to miss it! Don’t miss your last chance to see this Olivier Award-nominated West End comedy about one enormous diamond, eight incompetent crooks and a snoozing security guard. Full of twists on genre tropes, and packed with daring set-pieces, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is a hilarious showcase of slick theatrical inventiveness and hilarious, quip-filled word play.

As the saying goes… all good things must come to an end. But don’t fret, as you’ll still be able to catch Mischief’s work across the UK with The Play That Goes Wrong playing at the Duchess Theatre and Magic Goes Wrong recently extending its run at the Vaudeville Theatre as part of the Mischief residency.

On a brighter note, Only Fools And Horses The Musical has extended its run for a further two months at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 27 June.

The show – which opened in February last year to an array of fantastic reviews – has sold over 400,000 tickets so far and the extension means there will be a further 50,000 on sale!

Having recently returned to the musical to play the role of Grandad until the end of April, Paul Whitehouse said: “After a bit of a break from the show I was itching to return to the stage and it’s a great feeling to be back in Grandad’s armchair. After almost a year we’re still playing to packed houses throughout the week at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and to be extending the show for a fourth time is incredible. Mange Tout!”

John Sullivan’s iconic and record-breaking television series has been turned into a home-grown West End musical spectacular.  With a script and original score by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, and Paul Whitehouse, the musical reacquaints fans with Britain’s most loveable rogues, to experience the classic comedy brought to life once again through 20 ingenious and hilarious songs.

Sound cushty? Don’t be a plonker and book your tickets to see Only Fools And Horses The Musical now! Bonjour!

We caught a first look at production images from John Kani’s highly acclaimed play, Kunene And The King ahead of its first West End performance tonight.

Following its premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon and a sold-out run in Cape Town, Kunene And The King will be playing at the Ambassadors Theatre until 28 March.

The story is set in South Africa, 2019. Twenty-five years since the first post-apartheid democratic elections, two men from contrasting walks of life are thrust together to reflect on a quarter century of change. Jack Morris is a celebrated classical actor who’s just been given both a career-defining role and a life-changing diagnosis. Besides his age, Jack has seemingly little in common with his at-home nurse Lunga Kunene, but the two men soon discover their shared passion for Shakespeare.

With a strictly-limited London run, this refreshingly funny and vital new play is one to add to your diaries!

Frantic Assembly are celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a brand new production, I Think We Are Alone by Sally Abbott, co-directed by Kathy Burke and Scott Graham.

Playing at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 25 Feb – 21 March, I Think We Are Alone is a bitter sweet and funny take on our ache to connect with those voices we need to hear again, those arms we need to feel around us and those faces we need to see again. It is about letting go and holding on to what we love the most. If you’re looking for a delicate and uplifting play, grab your tickets now! 

Yesterday, Hampstead Theatre hosted a special 60th birthday fundraising gala to celebrate its rich history and look to an exciting future.

Hosted by Zeinab Badawai and Lloyd Owen, the event featured a special reading of Mike Leigh’s iconic play Abigail’s Party – which premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 1977 – by former cast members Abigail Steadman, Janine Duvitski and Wendy Nottingham. There was also live music from Abiona Omonua (Caroline, or Change) and a live auction hosted by Christopher Biggins. All funds raised will support Hampstead’s Under 30s £10 tickets, helping the theatre to continue making ambitious new theatre for a new generation of artists and audiences.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, said: “It is astonishing to think that it is sixty years since James Roose-Evans started the Hampstead Theatre Club at Moreland Hall in Hampstead Village.  From modest beginnings, Hampstead Theatre has grown into an internationally respected theatre, presenting world class productions of distinctive new work. I feel so privileged to be part of its history and I look forward to what we can achieve in the future.”

After watching that, how can you not want to be…

So here are some top tips to make sure you can get tickets to experience every second of the biggest night in London theatre as it happens!

1. Save the date.

No, we mean it – Save. The. Date. Write it down on every post-it note you own. Sunday 2 April. Sunday the secondof April. The first Sunday in April. 2/4/20. We don’t care how you write it, don’t double book it! That’s the day the Royal Albert Hall will be getting it’s glitz and glam on for this celebration of British theatre.

2. Follow the Olivier Awards.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Olivier Awards Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more announcements and to stay up to date with the latest Oliviers news – it’ll be coming thick and fast as we approach the hallowed day! If you want to be the first to know about all things Oliviers as they unfold, this is the place to be!

3. Have your Mastercard to hand.

Olivier Awards tickets are available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders through priceless.com. Check out your cards and find out which one you can use to get your hands on these exclusive tickets! It’s always worth checking – lots of different cards are Mastercards, including some from challenger banks and top-up cards, so you may well have one in the back of your wallet that you’ve forgotten about!

4. Don’t panic!

Don’t worry if you don’t manage to get Olivier Awards tickets or if you can’t make it on the night!

You can keep up with everything on Twitter and on Facebook Live, and we’ll be releasing more info about different ways to watch the action unfold, so wherever you are in the world on Sunday 2 April, you won’t miss out!

1. His first school teacher predicted his future career

The Salford-born star loved cracking a joke or two at school. So much so, in his first school report his teacher wrote: “He’s always telling jokes. Perhaps he should become a comedian.”

2. He began his stand-up career as a teenager

Jason’s first comedy opportunity came at the very early age of 17. Working at the Southern Hotel in Manchester in 1999 as a glass-collector and pot-washer, he had no idea what his future would hold. When a performer didn’t arrive for an evening set at Buzz Comedy Club, located downstairs in the hotel, Manford filled in for the absent comic and never looked back!

Just 16 gigs later, Jason was crowned The City Life North West Comedian of the Year in 1999, an award previously won by Caroline Aherne, Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay.

3. Fellow comedian Peter Kay is one of his biggest supporters

Peter Kay offered plenty of advice and contacts to Jason in the early stage of his comedy career. He recommended the Higher National Diploma in media and performance at the University of Salford, and despite not having the required A Level grades, Jason was accepted. He later upgraded to a full degree. More importantly, he went on to make his name as an entertainer, working in local radio, going on to stand-up and winning the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

4.  He can sing opera

In 2011, Jason won ITV’s charity talent competition, Born To Shine after learning how to sing opera. The comic sang Maria and Brindisi alongside 14-year old chorister George Clarke, who had been his mentor for the show. The man of many talents then went on to release an album of show tunes called A Different Stage. 

5. He was on the 2010 Channel 4 list of the Greatest Stand-Ups of all-time

Jason finished in an impressive 65th position. That was behind Billy Connolly, Ricky Gervais and Roy Chubby Brown, but ahead of Ronnie Corbett, Freddie Starr and Ken Dodd.

6. He is a huge musical theatre fan

In 2012, Jason showed off his new-found singing talent on tour with Alfie Boe and alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in Sweeney Todd in the West End. Other musical credits include roles in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Producers and a concert production of Guys And Dolls.

More recently, he has just finished playing the West End role of detective Frank Cioffi in the hilarious whodunnit West End production of Curtains and will be reprising the role as the Tony-Award winning musical heads off on its UK Tour. 

7. He is the voice-over on the Churchill insurance adverts

If you’ve ever seen the original Churchill insurance adverts… ohhh yes, (the one with the nodding dog!) you may or may not have noticed that Jason is the voice-over summing up the ad at the end! Who would have known?

8. He set up the ‘Charity Ninjas’

In 2014, Jason jumped on board to help cancer sufferer Stephen Sutton reach his £1 million target for Teenage Cancer Trust. Besides donating £10,000 to the cause and organising a last-minute charity gig which sold out within minutes, Jason also launched the Thumbs Up For Stephen campaign which went on to raise over £2.5 million for Teenage Cancer Trust! Since then, he has gone on to set up Charity Ninjas, a team of mystery do-gooders who anonymously come to the rescue of people around the UK, raising thousands of pounds and helping many many people.

He makes us laugh, acts, sings AND does a bucket load of charity work. What a hero!

9. He is the host of a brand new BBC gameshow

First & Last is a brand-new six-part series that puts eleven contestants through a chain of funny, play-along-at-home games, all of which have one golden rule – they must avoid coming first or last. If they do, they will be eliminated!

Catch Jason in this hilarious show on BBC 1 on Saturday night at 8.30pm.

10. He will be presenting the Olivier Awards with Mastercard for the third time this year

Having previously hosted in 2017 and 2019, the much-loved comedian, actor and singer will return to the Royal Albert Hall for the glittering Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard ceremony on Sunday 5 April. 

If you want to join this celebration of the very best in British theatre, tickets for the Olivier Awards with Mastercard ceremony will  be on public sale from Friday 24 January. In the meantime, you can check out the highlights from 2019!

The Olivier Awards 2020 will take place on Sunday 5 April at the Royal Albert Hall. Public tickets go on sale on Friday 24 January exclusively to Mastercard cardholders so keep your eyes peeled on our social media and on priceless.com to grab yours!

To celebrate their first West End birthday, Six has announced today that they’ll be Divorced, Beheaded, Live in London for ages to come! Tickets go on sale today for new dates at the Arts Theatre all the way to 31 January 2021.

The current West End Queens are Jarneia Richard-Noel as Catherine of Aragon, Courtney Bowman as Anne Boleyn, Natalie Paris as Jane Seymour, Alexia McIntosh as Anna of Cleves,  and Danielle Steers as Catherine Parr. And we can’t wait to see Sophie Isaacs – of Heathers fame – step into the spotlight and don Katherine Howard’s crown for the first time next Tuesday.

So whether you’ve not yet made it to this cult pop musical phenomenon, or you’ve got a hankering to see the new cast belt out the songs  you know and love, you can grab your tickets through the link below!

Ahead of opening night next week, we got a sneak peek at the production photos for Uncle Vanya and the set and costume look absolutely incredible. Designed by Rae Smith, the Harold Pinter’s stage has been completely transformed into the crumbling countryside house that becomes the setting for an increasingly complicated and hostile family reunion. We can’t wait to see it in the flesh!

We went to the brand new Les Mis opening night last night (head over to our Instagram to check our our highlights of the night!) and we were blown away. Check out the brand new production shots below!

Today, we hear from Katie Brayben, currently starring in Conor McPherson’s Girl From The North Country – a musical set in 1930s America incorporating classics from the catalogue of musical legend Bob Dylan.

Katie made her West End debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia! and has since starred opposite Matt Smith in the American Psycho musical, as Princess Diana in King Charles III and as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, for which she won an Olivier Award in 2015.

1. My route into theatre was…

As a kid I went to a local drama club called Marcia’s and I fell in love with performing there. It led to my first role as Annie in Annie at the Lewisham shopping centre. That was a big deal for me. I then had a great drama teacher at secondary school who encouraged me to try for drama college which at the time I didn’t even know was an option.

2. My West End idol is…

Tim Pigott-Smith who I was fortunate enough to work with on King Charles the third. He was an inspirational person and enshrined the values that I would like to carry forward in my career. An extraordinary actor but more importantly a kind supportive and playful man.

3. My colleagues would describe me as…

I’m not sure. I think they would say I’m slightly shorter than you’d expect but louder and with tiny hands.

4. My favourite show present or past (that isn’t one I star in) is…

I really loved Marianne Elliott’s production of Angels in America. It is one of my favourite plays. This answer is a slight cheat as I watched the NT Live version in a cinema down the road and controversially had one of the best theatre experiences of my life.

5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…

I have to say the whole experience of getting to play Carole King, one of my all time favourite composers, and then winning the Olivier was my proudest moment so far. It is something I could have only ever dreamed of and still don’t believe really happened.

6. The hardest part about my role is…

There are lots of tough aspects of the job. I’d say one of the hardest things is having the physical and emotional energy for eight shows a week. When you leave the theatre each night there is a residue of the characters journey and that can potentially run you down. Thats why you have to look after yourself as much as possible. Elizabeth Laine – the character I’m playing at the moment in Girl From The North Country – comes with unique challenges. I love being in her world but I carry her with me off stage at times.

7. If I didn’t work in theatre I would be…

Off grid somewhere? Although my boyfriend says I couldn’t live outside of a city.

8. Something people don’t know about me is…

My real last name is Burke but I wasn’t allowed to have it as a professional name because of Kathy Burke, who I’m not related to but wish I was.

9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

Tim Pigott-Smith gave me so much good advice. One thing that he said that really stuck with me was when doing a long running show, every day do less.

10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…

Move away from the bullies. Don’t give them any of your energy and time.

You can catch Katie Brayben in Girl From The North Country at the Gielgud Theatre until 1 February 2020.

This marks the first revival of Hello, Dolly! in the West End since the summer of 2009, when Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre ran a production starring Allan Corduner and Samantha Spiro, who won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance.

Hello, Dolly! features music and lyrics from musical legend Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, Mame) and a book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street, Mack and Mabel, Barnum). The iconic score includes classics ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘Elegance’ ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and – of course – ‘Hello, Dolly!’.

Written in 1964, Hello, Dolly! is based on Thornton Wilder’s 1938 farce The Matchmaker. The musical follows the unsubtle, oft-meddling socialite and force of nature Dolly Gallagher Levi. Usually a voracious matchmaker, the brassy widow is struggling to fund a wife for the miserly, grouchy ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. But it soon becomes clear that the next match she’s seeking to make is for herself.

Imelda Staunton has won a whopping three Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical; for her role as the Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods in 1991, as Mrs Lovett in Sweeny Todd in 2013 and for her performance as Madame Rose in Gypsy. She won a fourth Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance for A Chorus Of Disapproval back in 1985.

This production will re-unite Imelda with Director Dominic Cooke for the first time since the critically acclaimed Follies at the National Theatre. We can’t wait to see what musical magic they’ve created this time!

[newsletter-signup title=”Sign up for our newsletter!” ]

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is looking for new panellists to help judge categories for the Olivier Awards 2021.

Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours.

The judging period for eligible shows will run from 19 February 2020 for approximately 12 months. During this time, you will be required to watch and review lots of different shows around London and while this is quite a commitment, it is a very exciting opportunity for the right individual.

Here’s more information on the types of panellists we’re looking for, and how to apply to become one.

Theatre, Affiliate, Opera and Dance Panels

SOLT are looking for members of the public for the Theatre, Affiliate (smaller or non-West End London theatres), Opera, and Dance panels.

Panellists are required to see all of the eligible productions in their chosen category. This can include up to 100 plays or musicals in London, though the numbers are usually lower for Opera and Dance. Panellists normally receive two free tickets to each show, plus a free programme. This unpaid position lasts for a year and expenses are not covered.

Please note that you need to be aged 18 years old or over to be considered for this panellist position.

To apply for a panellist place, please write a 150-word review of a production you have seen in the last year, plus a list of all the other productions you have seen in that period. The application form will guide you through this.

Theatre panel:

You will be assessing the below awards categories.

• Best New Play
• Best Entertainment or Comedy Play
• Best Original Score or New Orchestrations
• Best Revival
• Best New Musical
• Best Musical Revival
• Best Costume Design
• Best Sound Design
• Best Set Design
• Best Lighting Design
• Best Director
• Best Theatre Choreographer
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
• Best Actress in a Musical
• Best Actor in a Musical
• Best Actor
• Best Actress

Affiliate panel:

Our affiliate theatres tend to be smaller spaces and studios, and you will be judging the below award category.

• Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre

 Dance panel:

The dance panel assesses solely dance productions, you will be judging the below award categories.

• Best New Dance Production
• Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Opera panel:

The opera panel assesses solely opera productions, you will be judging the below award categories.

• Best New Opera Production
• Outstanding Achievement in Opera

Family panel

Our Family panel will judge Best Family Show. We are looking for groups of two panellists consisting of an adult (over 18) with an accompanying child (under 18). Panellists need to attend all eligible Family shows together (adult & child).

To have the chance to become a panellist, please write one 150-word review of a production you have seen together in the last year, a paragraph telling us a bit about you both, plus a list of all the other productions you have seen in the last 12 months.

Family panel:

With our family panel, the child’s opinions truly matter to us, and they will be fully involved in the decision-making process.

• Best Family Show

How to apply

This is a wonderful chance to be at the heart of London theatre and help decide who wins London’s most prestigious theatrical prizes! As a thank you for your commitment, members of the judging panels are invited to attend the ceremony.

Applications for the 2021 public panels are now closed.