Olivier Awards details announced for 15 April

More details have been announced for The 36th Laurence Olivier Awards, presented by The Society of London Theatre (SOLT), which will be hosted at the Royal Opera House for the first time ever at a star-studded ceremony on Sunday 15 April 2012. The event will take place later than usual in the theatrical calendar. Nominations for the awards will be announced on Thursday 15 March 2012 with a cut-off date of Thursday 16 February 2012 for eligible productions.

The awards are hosted by West End stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton.

The BBC will be giving the awards live coverage on television (via the Red Button), on Radio 2 and online, with red carpet coverage from 5pm and the Ceremony starting at 6pm. The awards will include unique theatrical entertainment created especially for the occasion with music throughout from the BBC Concert Orchestra.

A Free public event in Covent Garden piazza with live show relay and West End performances.

There will be a live show relay to a New York celebration of the awards where an invited audience of VIPs including British stars on Broadway and high profile industry figures will gather to celebrate the awards.

The Laurence Olivier Awards were created in 1976 as The Society of West End Theatre Awards to recognise excellence on the London stage and became the Laurence Olivier Awards in 1984 when Lord Olivier gave his name to the awards.

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is the association which represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the 52 major commercial and grant-aided theatres in central London. The organisation exists in order to promote theatregoing, develop audiences, and to serve, protect and promote the interests of those engaged in theatre across London.