Theater News

Michael Ball, Imelda Staunton to Host 2012 Olivier Awards Ceremony

Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball in a
promotional photo for the Olivier Awards
(© Charlie Gray)
Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball in a
promotional photo for the Olivier Awards
(© Charlie Gray)

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton will once again host the Olivier Awards Ceremony to be held on April 15 at the Royal Opera House. The event will be carried on BBC television, radio and on the web.

As previously reported, Ball and Staunton will begin performances in Sweeney Todd at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre on March 10. The duo previously hosted the awards ceremony in 2011.

Ball’s many other stage credits include Hairspray, Aspects of Love, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Woman in White. Staunton’s numerous stage credits include Life x3, A Chorus of Disapproval, Guys and Dolls, Into the Woods, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, and There Came a Gypsy Riding.

In related news, it has also been announced that a public awards celebration will be held in Covent Garden piazza during the ceremony where theater-lovers will be able to gather to enjoy a free big-screen relay of the event and other entertainment, including live performances from some of the West End’s major shows. Neil Fox and Louise Dearman will host this event.

The nominations for the 2012 Olivier Awards will be announced at the the Mayfair Hotel, in an event to be offered live online, on March 15.