Olivier Awards rename Best Director honour after late Peter Hall

The Society of London Theatre has announced that it is to rename the Olivier Award for Best Director in memory of the late Sir Peter Hall.

The move follows the omission of the RSC founder and National Theatre director from their In Memoriam section at this year's Olivier Awards, despite Hall's passing in September last year.

A statement released today said: "The Society of London Theatre apologises unreservedly for this serious error. Sir Peter, as founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company and a director of the National Theatre, was a giant of British theatre and is sorely missed in the industry."

The permanent name change will come into play from next year's ceremony.

The statement also confirmed that SOLT is reviewing the process by which people are included in the In Memoriam segment for future ceremonies.