This year the only place you can watch the Olivier Awards being streamed live is at the BBC Radio 2 Stage in Covent Garden. Theatre-lovers are invited to gather from 4pm on Sunday (28th April) for a free Olivier Awards celebration featuring live performances from top West End shows. The stage will be hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Claudia Winkleman and West End leading man Michael Xavier.
Earlier this week, I spoke to Michael Xavier (whose theatre credits include Hello Dolly, Love Story and Phantom of the Opera) about what people can expect from the Covent Garden event, the nominees and why the Olivier's are so important...
The Olivier Awards take place on Sunday, I can’t believe how quickly they have crept up on us! How are you feeling about co-hosting the event which is taking place in Covent Garden?
I know! I am feeling great, really positive. It was such an honour being asked to co-host with Claudia Winkleman. It is the big night in the year where we get to celebrate the best of British Theatre so it is very exciting to be involved!
People can gather in Covent Garden from 4pm, what can they expect?
First of all it is completely free – you do not need a ticket! All you have to do is turn up at the piazza in Covent Garden. It is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the best shows in town give performances. The four shows which have been shortlisted for the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award – Matilda, Phantom of the Opera, Billy Elliott and Wicked – are all doing at least one number each plus there will be some other shows performing, it’s going to be good!
Covent Garden is also the only place where people can see the awards streamed live...
Yes that’s right; it is probably the most exciting thing about the event this year! You can see everything that is going on as it happens. There are highlights being shown on ITV after the awards and you can listen live on Radio Two, but the Covent Garden event is the only place where you can watch the awards live – it is quite a big deal! The atmosphere will be electric.
Recently you have been busy starring in Hello Dolly, but have you had the chance to see any of the nominated shows?
I have! Over the last few days I have been trying to scramble round to see as many as possible.
What have been some of your favourites?
Oh gosh... I don’t want to miss anything out! In terms of ‘Best Actor’ I saw Macbeth – James McAvoy was fantastic. I have also seen Mark Rylance in Twelfth Night, he just seems to be amazing in every single thing he does. Luke Treadaway is also really great in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time which I saw a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any of the actresses nominated for ‘Best Actress’! I tried to see The Audience a few days ago but it is impossible to get tickets! I am also rooting for Janie Dee who is nominated for ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’. I recently worked with her in Hello Dolly and she is just incredible. In terms of musicals, which is my ‘specialist subject’, I saw Michael Ball in Sweeney Todd and Alex Bourne in Kiss Me Kate who are both superb!
All the categories are so tough aren’t they!
At this stage it is so hard to pick a winner! Obviously it just comes down to personal preference but all the categories are so strong, in particular ‘Best Actress in a Musical’, but I have a feeling Imelda Staunton might just get it!
Why are the Olivier Awards so important?
It is an opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of British theatre. It is such an incredible industry and I am very proud that we celebrate it in this way. The Tonys have always been a big deal so it’s nice that we are now showing off more. Obviously I’m biased, but I think British theatre really is the best theatre in the world. Not just in terms of talent, but also in terms of diversity.
Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Please visit www.olivierawards.com for further information.
Click here to read West End Frame's previous interview with Michael from October 2012
Visit Michael's website: www.michaelxavier.co.uk
Follow @West_End_Frame
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