The most prestigious and spectacular event in the British theatre calendar is now just days away and we’re inviting you to come and join the excitement.
The 36th Olivier Awards with MasterCard take place this Sunday at the Royal Opera House and there are plenty of different ways for theatre fans to get involved.
Members of the public are invited to an exclusive event in the Covent Garden piazza from 16:00, where there will be coverage of the ceremony on a big screen, live performances from the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award shortlist, long-running shows Billy Elliot The Musical, Wicked, Les Misérables and Jersey Boys, as well as a number of special surprises to be announced on the day.
Theatre fans at home and abroad will be able to watch live uninterrupted coverage of the ceremony and the red carpet via the BBC Red Button and online at olivierawards.com and bbc.com/radio2. Presented by Anneka Rice, coverage will run from 17:30, when the star-studded guests arrive on the red carpet, until the end of the ceremony at 21:00.
You can also stay up-to-date with all the latest news and winners here and via Twitter and Facebook where there will be exciting updates from the red carpet, the public event at Covent Garden and the ceremony. Fans can join in the fun by posting on the Oliviers’ Facebook page and tweeting using the hashtag #Oliviers2012.
Presented by Sweeney Todd co-stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, this year’s ceremony will feature a host of exclusive entertainment, including live performances from Ronan Keating, 2012’s nominated musicals and tributes to Special Award winners Sir Tim Rice and Dame Monica Mason.
This year’s top nominees include Matilda The Musical, which has been nominated for a staggering 10 awards, and The Ladykillers and One Man, Two Guvnors, which have five nominations each.
A host of famous faces, including Sir Patrick Stewart, Scrubs and All New People star Zach Braff, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens and many more still to be announced, will be presenting the winners with their coveted prizes.