The Olivier Awards 2008
British Theatre Awards Honour Top London Dramatic Plays & Musicals
The Annual Olivier Awards pay tribute to some of the leading names in British theatre
Spring is an interesting time of year in the world of London theatre; it is the time when the theatre glitterati look back and honour the previous year's productions. The highlight of the theatrical year is the annual Olivier Awards, held this year on March 9th and presided over with flair and humour by the venerable Richard E. Grant.
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” swooned RSC actress Tamsin Grieg. “He’s 74” she quipped. The luvvies giggled and clapped their way through the ceremony, the awards themselves voted for by a selection of industry professionals and selected members of the public.
Making Dreams Come True
Kristin Scott Thomas, accepting the Best Actress award for The Seagull, delivered a speech in praise of the theatre industry, recognising the talent of theatre actors and lambasting those who may dare to suggest that movies are really where it’s at. Newcomer Leanne Jones, winning the Best Actress in a Musical award for Hairspray, her first role, was overcome with emotion and joy; thanking the assembled audience for making her dreams come true. Indeed, theatre is about making dreams come true, and most recipients of awards declared that the opportunity to perform in classic roles on stage was award enough.
The Benefits of an Olivier
Many productions will benefit from receiving the prestigious Olivier award – Hairspray picked up four awards, to the surprise of many at the ceremony who thought that the musical Parade was perhaps as worthy. The National Theatre’s War Horse, although now finished its short run, will no doubt reap the benefits when it returns later this year. Directors, actors and designers who have won will surely be able to write their own ticket for the foreseeable future. Others need no such promotion; Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was acknowledged by the Olivier panel for his incredible contribution to theatre, and rising stars Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Elena Rogers honoured his achievement in song.
An International Event
The absence of television cameras lends the ceremony an air of informality, and it really does seem like one glorious celebrity club where unlikely pairings are not unusual. The sight of the diminutive Barbara Windsor (of the Carry On movies and East Enders) clutching the hand of the lofty Jeff Goldblum raised many a smile. The evening belonged not only to Britain – the impromptu outpouring of joy and song from the South African cast of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo on receiving their award for Best Muscial Revival had many of the audience, including Sir Ian McKellen and Kevin Spacey, on their feet cheering. Writer and star of the show Pauline Malefane, accepting the award, thanked everyone, including the Almighty. (Everyone that is, except Mozart. In her obvious joy it must have slipped her mind.) Richard E. Grant, himself a South African, congratulated them in Afrikaans.
A Private or Public Award?
But the question is – who are the Oliviers for? The public have been lured to the theatre by the popularity of reality TV shows where the public vote decides who plays the leading roles, such as How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? 2007 was a record breaking year for attendance figures – but of those who book in bulk for Grease, Joseph and the like, how many really care about affiliate theatres? About Chekhov? About Outstanding Achievement in Opera?
No matter, the assembled crowd at Grosvenor House raised a glass and toasted their illustrious peers, and more importantly praised an industry that is thriving and vibrant.
