Fans of London’s long-running shows should leap to their PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones, as the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award, the only Olivier Award to be decided solely by public vote, has been launched.
In addition to helping their favourite show towards possibly collecting the coveted award, all BBC Radio 2 Audience Award voters will also be entered into a prize draw to win an incredible prize; a pair of tickets to the glamorous Olivier Awards with MasterCard being held at the Royal Opera House on 28 April, where they will rub shoulders with the cream of the capital’s stage talent and witness the winners being crowned first hand.
The 2013 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award was officially launched on today’s Sunday with Elaine Paige on BBC Radio 2, when the full list of eligible shows was revealed. To be in contention for the award, shows must have opened by 15 February 2012 and still be open on 28 April 2013. This year’s eligible shows are The 39 Steps, Billy Elliot The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, The Mousetrap, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Phantom Of The Opera, Rock Of Ages, Singin’ In The Rain, Stomp, Thriller Live, War Horse, We Will Rock You, Wicked and The Woman In Black.
Theatre fans have until 17:00 on Monday 18 March to cast their vote in support of the show they would most like to win. The four shows with the most votes will be announced alongside the rest of the eagerly awaited Olivier Awards nominees on 26 March, with the winner named as part of the exclusive, star-studded ceremony on 28 April.
The Olivier Awards with MasterCard are the highlight of British theatrical award season, when the entire industry comes together to celebrate the many incredible successes of the previous year. Last year Matilda The Musical set a new record, winning a total of seven awards in one night.
More news about the Olivier Awards will be released this week.