Sir Kenneth Branagh announced as Olivier Special Award winner

First 2017 Olivier Award announced

The Society of London Theatre have today announced that actor and director Kenneth Branagh will be presented with the Special Award at the Olivier Awards 2017 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British theatre, thirty five years after winning his first Olivier.

Kenneth Branagh won the Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in 1982. Since then his career has spanned stage, film and television. His career highlights include productions of Another Country, Henry V, Golden Girls, three productions of Hamlet, Love's Labour's Lost, Public Enemy, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Look Back in Anger, Richard III, Edmond, Ivanov, and The Painkiller. The plays he has directed also include John Sessions' The Life of Napoleon and Napoleon - The American Story, Twelfth Night, Uncle Vanya, The Play What I Wrote, and Ducktastic.

Most recently the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company enjoyed its inaugural West End season with Plays at the Garrick Theatre comprising of seven plays including The Winter's Tale, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer.

Caro Newling, President of the Society of London Theatre, said: "The Society of London Theatre is delighted to formally celebrate Kenneth Branagh's outstanding contribution to London theatre. Whether acting or directing, there is no greater advocate for our industry".

Past recipients of the Special Award include Kevin Spacey, Stephen Sondheim, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen.

The award will be presented on Sunday 9 April at the Olivier Awards Ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall.