The annual Special Award at this year's Olivier Awards will be presented to Sir Kenneth Branagh, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British theatre.
He will receive the award at this year's ceremony April 9 at the Royal Albert Hall.
Previously an Olivier Award winner for Best Newcomer in 1982, the stage and screen star has appeared frequently in the West End, with the RSC and at the National Theatre. Most recently, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company put on its inaugural West End season, comprising seven plays that were staged at the Garrick Theatre, with three of them, The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet, and The Entertainer, also broadcast to cinemas across the world, where they were seen by over 430,000 people.
In a press statement, Caro Newling, president of the Society of London Theatre, commented, “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 Society of London Theatre, organizers of the Olivier Awards, will also be honoring four highly respected industry figures, Victor and Lilian Hochhauser (joint recipients), Richard Bullimore, and Frank Dunlop, with Special Recognition Awards during the Nominees Celebration March 10 at Rosewood London.
