2012 Olivier Awards Will be Streamed Live Around the World; Royal Ballet's Monica Mason to Receive Special Award

By Mark Shenton
10 Apr 2012

Co-host Michael Ball
Co-host Michael Ball
Photo by Catherine Ashmore

This year's Laurence Olivier Awards, being held April 15 at London's Royal Opera House, will be available to an international audience for the first time, with the entire event streamed live online via a relay on the event's official website (www.olivierawards.com) as well as the BBC's Radio 2 website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio2), who are offering live coverage in a show hosted by Ken Bruce beginning at 5:30 PM BST, 12:30 PM ET.

Amongst the guest presenters for awards are Zach Braff and Tyne Daly (currently both wrapping West End runs in All New People and Master Class, respectively), West End headliners David Suchet and Laurie Metcalf (currenty starring in Long Day's Journey into Night) and Tom Chambers (soon to appear in Top Hat), as well as Hayley Atwell, Jack Davenport, Jim Carter, Lenny Henry, Ronan Keating, James McAvoy, Patrick Stewart, Elaine Paige, Barbara Windsor and Zoe Wanamaker.

The ceremony is being hosted by Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball, currently both starring in Sweeney Todd at the West End's Adelphi Theatre.

Dame Monica Mason, outgoing director of the Royal Ballet, joins the previously announced award-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, as a recipient of a special Olivier Award, marking their lifetime contribution to theatre and the arts. Mason's career with the Royal Ballet spans half a century and has seen her grow from a celebrated dancer into a hugely admired and influential leader in her field.

In addition to the online coverage, there will also be extensive live uninterrupted coverage from the BBC on television (via the Red Button), and a free public Covent Garden event with live show relay and West End entertainment.

A full list of winners will also be published after the event on Playbill.com on April 15.