The Olivier Awards are a big highlight of the theatre calendar so it was disappointing, though understandable, when the event was cancelled. Now, there’s a chance to celebrate all the ceremonies that have come before in a special programme, Olivier Awards – Greatest Moments, to be broadcast on ITV in the awards’ original slot, 10.15pm on 5 April 2020. Now, that’s something to look forward to.
Hosted by Jason Manford, the hour-long ‘Olivier Awards – Greatest Moments’ programme will look back at Olivier Awards ceremonies over the past ten years, with archive footage of performances and speeches, and a celebration of some of the many Olivier Award-winning productions – including Dreamgirls, Hamilton, The Book Of Mormon, Disney’s The Lion King and the RSC’s Matilda The Musical.
Official radio partner Magic Radio will broadcast a special programme from 6pm to 8pm on the same evening, also celebrating the best Olivier Awards moments, alongside a weekend of shows on Magic’s new musical theatre station Magic at the Musicals.
Nominations for the Olivier Awards 2020 were announced on 3 March and the winners will be revealed in a special ceremony and event – also broadcast on ITV and Magic Radio – which depending on government medical advice is likely to be held in the autumn, with plans to be confirmed as soon as is feasible.
In the lead-up to 5 April, the Olivier Awards social channels will be trailing the ITV and Magic Radio programmes by publishing stand-out content from shows to be featured in the broadcasts.
Julian Bird, SOLT chief executive and Olivier Awards executive producer, said:
“Amid unprecedentedly difficult times for our theatre community, we look forward to providing audiences with a unique celebration of the last ten years of incredible, world-leading British theatre honoured at the Olivier Awards, in anticipation of a separate ceremony for this year’s winners in the autumn.”
The theatre world has seen mass closures and cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many companies, creatives and performers taking to online platforms to create new work, connect with fans and colleagues, and raise money to help those in the industry who are struggling.
