Theatre News

Olivier Awards introduce music category, 2014 dates announced

The 2014 Olivier Awards will take place on 13 April next year, and will see the introduction of a new award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

According to press material, the category will “bring together potential nominations across the music fields including composition of original music for plays, orchestration and musical supervision/direction”.

It was created following campaigns from industry figures including musical supervisors Mike Dixon and Gareth Valentine.

Dixon, a musical supervisor on shows including The Bodyguard and We Will Rock You, told The Stage: “The most important aspect of this award is that finally the Oliviers are respecting the fact that music and musicians play a central role in musical theatre. After a couple of years campaigning for some recognition for musical supervisors and musical directors I am really pleased that from next year there is an award that recognises the huge contribution to the industry that all musicians make.”

The ceremony will be held again at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, and the cut-off date for eligible productions is 25 February 2014. More details about the 2014 awards will be announced in the new year.