Theatre
Listicle
Who won this year’s Olivier Awards – and where to see the shows
A rundown of some of the biggest winners on one of theatre's biggest nights
Sunday night was the biggest night in UK theatre, with the stars of the West End and beyond crowded into the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate some of the best the stage has to offer. Host Jason Manford cracked jokes about the Oscars (a requirement for anyone hosting an awards show this year), this season’s most celebrated musicals took to the stage, and the seven-strong team that operates the Tiger in Life of Pi took home a statuette for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Amongst the celebrations, several shows emerged as must-sees. Here are 2022’s big winners and where to catch them this year.
Cabaret
Rebecca Frecknall’s immersive production triumphed at this year’s Olivier Awards, taking home seven statuettes, including many of the night’s most prestigious. Not only did Cabaret win Best Musical Revival, but its lead actors scooped up all four of the musical acting awards, taking away Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress in a musical. Eddie Redmayne won for his role as Emcee, whilst fellow star of the screen Jessie Buckley took the Best Actress award home for her portrayal of Sally Bowles. Frecknall won Best Director, and just to top it off Cabaret also picked up Best Sound Design.
Although this celebrated revival has since changed casts, you can still find it at the Playhouse Theatre, where you’ll walk into the underground world of the Kit Kat Club before the show has even begun.
Life of Pi
Life of Pi was hot on Cabaret‘s heels with five wins, including the coveted Best New Play. Hiran Abeysekera won Best Actor for his portrayal of Pi, whilst the seven actors who play and operate the Tiger took home a joint award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The production also took home the awards for set and lighting.
Life of Pi is currently booking at Wyndham’s Theatre until 21 August, so there’s plenty of time to experience the magic for yourself.
Constellations
Michael Longhurst’s production at Vaudeville Theatre took home two awards at the ceremony, one for Best Revival and a Best Actress statuette for Sheila Atim. Unfortunately the show completed its limited run back in September, but here’s hoping it comes around again soon.
Back To The Future – The Musical
The musical adaptation of the beloved film beat out The Drifters Girl, Frozen, Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical to claim award for the Best New Musical. You can catch the eighties-inspired production at the Adelphi Theatre, now booking until 23 October.
Get tickets for Back To The Future The Musical.
Pride And Prejudice (Sort Of)
Best Entertainment or Comedy went to the raucous reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic love story. The West End production closed in February, but the show promises a UK tour from September – watch this space!
The Normal Heart
Liz Carr took home Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this powerful National Theatre production about the AIDS crisis. The production closed in September, so here’s hoping that a revival hits our stages in the future.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
The lavish love story appropriately carried off the award for Best Costume Design in last night’s ceremony. You can catch Moulin Rouge! The Musical and see those swirling skirts for yourself at the Piccadilly Theatre – now booking until 1 October.
Get tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
The powerful soundtrack that draws from the work of Bob Marley took home the award for Best Original Score or New Orchestrations. There’s still plenty of time to go hear it at the Lyric Theatre, as Get Up, Stand Up! is booking through to January 2023.
Get tickets for Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical.
Anything Goes
The toe-tapping production may have missed out on the award for Best Musical Revival, but its choreographer Kathleen Marshall did scoop up a Olivier for her work on the show. You can catch Anything Goes at the Barbican Theatre between 25 Jun and 3 September.
