Olivier’s 40th Anniversary, in Concert

BBC Radio 3 hosts a live 40 Year Anniversary special celebration of the Olivier Award’s. I was invited to this momentous occasion, celebrating an evening at Southbank Centre’s, Royal Festival Hall in London.

See photos from the gala concert – The Oliviers in Concert – with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Society of London Theatres. The gala concert, at London’s Royal Festival Hall, celebrated award-winning musical theatre productions from the first 40 years of the Olivier Awards.

Scarlett Strallen (L) and Petra Siniawski (R) perform What I Did for Love from A Chorus Line, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart, as part of The Oliviers in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
Scarlett Strallen (L) and Petra Siniawski (R) perform What I Did for Love from A Chorus Line, with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart, as part of The Oliviers in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

Photo credits BBC/Mark Allan

A trip down history introduce’s the Olivier’s being first established in 1976, initially called “The S.W.E.T’s”. An interesting name. Before Lord Lawerence Olivier’s gave his consent that his name replaces the original name of the award to his, in 1984. It has been one the Great Britain’s notable award ceremonies celebrating the best in — Theatre, Opera, Musicals, Dance and Affiliate.

The “Olivier’s in Concert” were joined by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Guidford School of Acting Choir and lead by acclaimed conductor Keith Lockhart.

Lockhart introduced: Maria Friedman and Tim Jackson, directors of the concert, with a short and quick jazz score to uplift the crowd off their seats! Engaged to celebrate the concert, we saw an array of Award Winning Musicals, Previous Olivier Winners and much more!

Maria Friedman performs with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart, as part of The Oliviers in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
Maria Friedman performs with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Keith Lockhart, as part of The Oliviers in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall.

A number of guests who performed, were: Michael Ball, Katie Brayben, John Dagleish, Daniel Evans, Petra Siniawski, Scarlett Strallen, Maria Friedman, Clive Rowe, and with a surprise from Elaine Page!

We heard our guests sing a variety of our musicaln favorites! From (to name a few): Clive Rowe’s Guys and Dolls “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”; Jersey Boys “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Walk like a Man”; Michael Ball’s “All I ask you” from Phantom of the Opera (Sir Lloyd Webber), and, “Not While I’m Around” by the Sweeney Todd Musical; Matilda: “Quiet”, and Elaine Page’s: “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina!”

Our guests carried us and swept us off our feets. Their melody’s took us through a journey and made us appreciate why and how much the Olivier’s are important to us personally, Nationally and Globally.

My initial thoughts from the evening share it was “Phenomenal!” and that I “didn’t expect it”. Listening throughout the evening, the vocal instruments from the guest singers really grabbed your breathe. I understand that many have listened to the concert via BBC 3 Radio and through BBC’s iPlayer, but I’d advise you next time to listen from actually being in the concert, where you can really appreciate it!

With an amazing evening gone by, we didn’t want it to finish. But, with an ensemble by all of our guests from Michael Ball to Elaine Page, The Guildford Acting Choir, BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart, we were left elevated with an old fashioned musical BANG! With a standing ovation from the crowd, we were honoured to celebrate the Olivier’s 40th Anniversary Concert with everyone.

Standing ll,

Michael Elaine, etc, Backtage,

The Oliver Awards ceremony are coming to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London. Please keep up to date with MarkMeets, as you can be involved with us and celebrate the Oliviers 40th Anniversary.

Follow our Journey: MarkMeets.com @MarkMeets #MarkTheOliviers

I’ll be catching up with you soon.

Written by: Ali Armian, Staff Journalist.

Pictures from: Ali Armian from Quulzz + BBC.

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MarkMeets Media is British-based online news magazine covering showbiz, music, tv and movies

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