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Everything you need to know about the Olivier Awards

Here’s our handy guide to this year’s awards ceremony

Judi Dench, Denise Gough, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Henry
Judi Dench, Denise Gough, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Henry
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

ASL? 40 years old/Ambiguous/London

Any other info? The awards will take place at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 3 April and they're presented by Michael Ball.

London is far. Can I watch from the comfort of my sofa? Yes. Hooray! Highlights of the awards will be shown on 3 April on ITV1 at 22.15 and the full ceremony will be shown on 4 April on ITV3 at 23.00. Catch both broadcasts on the ITV hub as well.

So who's up for an award? Denise Gough for People, Places and Things which is currently smashing it in the West End, Mark Rylance for Best Actor for Farinelli and the King, Hangmen for Best New Play, Matt Henry for Best Actor in a Musical for Kinky Boots, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical for Best Entertainment and Family and Es Devlin for Best Set Design for Hamlet.

Who should I place my bets on? Ladbrokes currently lists Denise Gough as having 1/4 odds of scooping Best Actress whilst Benedict Cumberbatch and Kenneth Branagh are neck and neck with 8/1 odds of winning Best Actor.

Any famous past winners? Helen Mirren, Sheridan Smith, Eddie Redmayne, Patrick Stewart, Tom Hiddleston, Kevin Spacey, Angela Lansbury and Katie Brayben. Shows include The Book of Mormon, Matilda the Musical, The Play That Goes Wrong and The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time.

Who should I look out for on the red carpet? Last year's awards saw the likes of Nicole Scherzinger, Russell Tovey, Judi Dench and Kevin Spacey walk the red carpet so with any luck this year, you might spot Benedict Cumberbatch, Dench (who gets a nod once again), Gemma Arterton and Nicole Kidman.

Any good people to follow on Twitter? WhatsOnStage OBVS (@WhatsOnStage) for all behind the scenes coverage and a full list of winners as well as all the stagey news you will ever need.
Denise Gough (@gough_denise) who is firmly behind supporting women in the arts.
Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) duh.

Do Say: Dame Dench is looking fabulous tonight, she's such a ledge and she really deserved her nom.

Don't Say: OMGZ I LOVE CUMBERBATCH SOOOO MUCH!!! Who are all these other peeps?

Follow WhatsOnStage for live updates from the red carpet and the ceremony on Twitter @WhatsOnStage and our Facebook and Instagram pages