The five Special Recognition Olivier Award winners: (clockwise) Bob King, Gloria Louis, Lisa Burger, Susie Sainsbury and Sylvia Young. Picture: Danny Kaan
Five ‘inspirational’ individuals have been rewarded with this year’s Special Recognition Olivier Awards ahead of the Olivier Awards 2022 with Mastercard ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on 10 April 2022.
Lisa Burger, the executive director and joint chief executive of the National Theatre for the past two decades, has been recognised for her role in ‘expanding the theatre’s reach, forging partnerships UK-wide and playing a key part in the industry’s pandemic recovery through initiatives like NT At Home’.
Designer Bob King receives an award for ‘creating some of theatre’s most iconic and instantly recognisable visuals’ for hit shows in the West End over a 40-year career – including the artwork for Oliver!, Back To The Future, Frozen, Mary Poppins, and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.
Gloria Louis is awarded for her ‘trailblazing career, which began front of house at the Strand Theatre (now the Novello), progressed into theatre management and now to a role as the inclusion and diversity lead for Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, using her knowledge, passion and dedication to inspire young people from all backgrounds about theatre careers’.
Susie Sainsbury is recognised for her ‘long-time philanthropy and support of the arts’ which has made ‘a significant difference to theatre in London and beyond’. Sainsbury founded The Backstage Trust to fund live arts projects and was also instrumental in the creation of the Theatre Artists Fund during the pandemic.
Influential theatre school founder Sylvia Young has also been recognised for ‘giving countless students opportunities to study performing arts and go on to prolific careers in theatre, film and TV, since she first started teaching in 1972’.
Commenting on the 2022 Special Recognition Award-winners, Julian Bird, chief executive of the Society of London Theatre and executive producer of the Olivier Awards, said: “The Special Recognition Olivier Awards shine a spotlight on inspirational individuals doing vital work, often behind the scenes, who have been a force for good and helped shape our industry in a wide range of ways.
“The five people we are honouring this year have all inspired generations of colleagues and theatre audiences, been pioneers in their fields and are hugely deserving of this long-due recognition. It is a privilege to celebrate their achievements as part of this year’s Olivier Awards.”
The Olivier Awards will be hosted by Jason Manford and broadcast via official media partners ITV and Magic Radio. Sustainability will be at the heart of this year’s event with guests walking a ‘Green Carpet’ of real, reusable grass, and headline sponsor Mastercard pledging to plant a tree for every public ticket sold via Priceless.com.
Angela Thomas
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.