Olivier Winners at The Grand
We’ve been very lucky to host many Olivier-Award nominated performers and shows at Leeds Grand Theatre – including two of this year’s nominees, Sister Act and Hey Duggee (coming in July). In honour of the 2023 Olivier Awards being held on Sunday 3 April, we took at look back through our archives to discover some of the Olivier-Award winning performers who have graced our stage.
Written by Ellen Carnazza
Olivier-Award winning actors at Leeds Grand Theatre
Michael Gambon
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1987 for his role as ‘Eddie Carbone’ in A View From The Bridge.
He was also nominated for an Olivier in 1996 for his role as ‘Tom Sargeant’ in Skylight, in 1998 for his role as ‘Tom Driberg’ in Tom and Clem, in 1999 for his role as ‘Parksy’ in The Unexpected Man, in 2001 for his role as ‘Davies’ in The Caretaker, in 2003 for his role as ‘Salter’ in A Number, in 2005 for his role as ‘Hamm’ in Endgame, and in 2009 for his role as ‘Hirst’ in No Man’s Land.
Michael Gambon performed at Leeds Grand Theatre in a production of The Recruiting Officer as part of the National Theatre’s star-studded double bill in 1964, alongside fellow Olivier-winner Derek Jacobi and Olivier-nominee Maggie Smith. The Master Builder, the first performance in the double bill, starred none other than Laurence Olivier himself!
The first half of a poster from 1964 of performances of The Master Builder and The Recruiting Officer at Leeds Grand Theatre.
The second half of a poster from 1964 of performances of The Master Builder and The Recruiting Officer at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Ian McKellen
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1991 for his role as ‘Richard III of England’ in Richard III.
He was also nominated for an Olivier in 1986 for his role as ‘Lopakhin’ in The Cherry Orchard, in 1989/90 for his roles as ‘Iago/Max’ in Othello and Bent, in 1992 for playing the title role in Uncle Vanya, in 2008 for playing the title role in King Lear, in 2017 for his role as ‘Spooner’ in No Man’s Land, and in 2019 playing the title role in King Lear once again.
Ian McKellen has performed in multiple productions at Leeds Grand Theatre, including Richard II in 1968, The Recruiting Officer and Chips With Everything in 1970, Hamlet in 1971 and ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore in 1972.
A poster of Richard II at Leeds Grand Theatre from 1968, starring Ian Mckellen
A poster of The Recruiting Officer and Chips With Everything at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1970, starring Ian McKellen
A poster of Hamlet at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1971, starring Ian McKellen
A poster for Ruling The Roost and 'Tis Pity She's A Whore at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1972, starring Ian McKellen
Derek Jacobi
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play in 2009 for his role as ‘Malvolio’ in Twelfth Night.
Derek Jacobi was also nominated for an Olivier in 1986 for his role as ‘Alan Turing’ in Breaking the Code, in 2006 for his role as ‘Philip II of Spain’ in Don Carlos, and in 2011 for playing the title role in King Lear.
As well as performing in The Recruiting Officer at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1964, Derek Jacobi also performed in a double bill of A Crisis of Conscience and Richard III in 1972, a double bill of Ivanov and The Lady’s Not For Burning in 1978, and a double bill of A Room With A View and A Month in the Country, alongside Timothy West.
The cast list and scene order for A Crisis of Conscience, 1972, starring Derek Jacobi as Nicholas Ivanov
The cast list for Richard III, 1972, starring Derek Jacobi as Duke of Buckingham
A poster for a double bill of Ivanov by Chekov and The Lady's Not For Burning at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1978, starring Eileen Atkins and Derek Jacobi
An undated poster for A Room With A View and A Month in the Country starring Derek Jacobi and Timothy West.
Olivier-Award winning actresses at Leeds Grand Theatre
Lindsay Duncan
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1986 for her role as ‘Marquise de Merteuil’ in Les Liaisons Dangereuses and again in 2002 for her role as ‘Amanda Prynne’ in Private Lives.
In 2002, Lindsay Duncan was double-nominated – as well as winning for Private Lives, she was also nominated for her role as ‘Laura’ in Mouth to Mouth. She was also nominated in 2009 for her role as ‘Martha’ in That Face.
Lindsay Duncan performed at Leeds Grand Theatre as Bellinda in the National Theatre production of The Provok’d Wife in 1980.
Black and white poster of The Provok'd Wife at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1980, starring Lindsay Duncan.
Cast list for The Provok'd Wife in 1980, starring Lindsay Duncan.
Eileen Atkins
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play in 1999 for her role as ‘Woman’ in The Unexpected Man and again in 2004 for her role as ‘Honor’ in Honour.
Eileen Atkins was also nominated for an Olivier in 1992 for her role as ‘Hannah’ in The Night of the Iguana, in 1997 for her role as ‘Mrs. Gunhild Borkman’ in John Gabriel Borkman, and in 2019 for her role as ‘Madeleine’ in The Height of the Storm.
As well as starring alongside Derek Jacobi in the 1978 double bill of Ivanov and The Lady’s Not For Burning, Eileen Atkins also performed at Leeds Grand Theatre in the 1968 production of The Cocktail Party and the 1975 National Theatre production of Heartbreak House.
The poster for Cocktail Party by TS Eliot at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1968 starring Eileen Atkins and Alec Guinness.
The poster for The National Theatre production of Heartbreak House at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1975.
The cast and crew list for Heartbreak House at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1975.
Lesley Manville
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play in 2014 for her role as ‘Mrs. Helene Alving’ in Ghosts.
She was also nominated for an Olivier in 2012 for her role as ‘Dorothy’ in Grief and in 2018 for her role as ‘Mary Tyrone’ in Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
Lesley Manville starred in the title role of the Leeds Grand Theatre pantomime, Cinderella, in 1975.
The poster for the Leeds Grand Theatre pantomime of Cinderella in 1975, starring Lesley Manville as Cinderella.
A headshot of Lesley Manville from the 1975 pantomime of Cinderella.
A poster of the Leeds Grand Theatre pantomime of Cinderella in 1975.
A cast list for the pantomime of Cinderella at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1975, starring Lesley Manville.
Dora Bryan
Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1995 for her role as ‘Meg’ in The Birthday Party.
Dora Bryan performed at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1973 in a production of George and Margaret.
A poster for George and Margaret at Leeds Grand Theatre in 1973, starring Dora Bryan.
Olivier-Award winning shows coming to Leeds Grand Theatre
Kinky Boots*
Winner of Best New Musical in 2016
Coming to Leeds Grand Theatre from 18-22 April
*This is an amateur production by LAOS.
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of)
Winner of Best Entertainment or Comedy Play in 2022
Coming to Leeds Grand Theatre from 24-29 April 2023
42nd Street
Winner of Best New Musical in 1984
Coming to Leeds Grand Theatre from 25-29 July 2023
Life of Pi
Winner of Best New Play in 2022
Coming to Leeds Grand Theatre from 2-13 July 2024
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As a Grade II listed building, we want to preserve Leeds Grand Theatre for future generations, making it more accessible, sustainable, and comfortable; everything we do will enhance your experience as a customer. All donations will be fully invested in ongoing projects, including improved access facilities, changing our lighting to LED, and investing in a new Flying system.
