The Olivier Awards from Stage to Screen

Really looking forward to seeing the ITV broadcast of The Olivier Awards, which Lola Williams-Byrne, CEO of the New Wonder Management Agency and I were lucky enough to attend at Royal Albert Hall on Sunday. As was frequently mentioned throughout the evening this will be the first time the show goes out as a primetime event. Rufus Hound suggested that before reading out the award winners name he 'should pause for half an hour, cut to a close-up of Louis Walsh looking stunned and have the whole thing underpinned by heartbeat sound effects'. As it turned out we were very impressed to see how well the dynamics of the live show were balanced with the necessities of TV recording, and like the all conquering Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, it will hopefully inspire a wider audience to step into a theatre seat rather than just watching on screen . Excellent hosting job on both fronts by Jason Manford, amazing performances by Tim Minchin (Groundhog Day) and Amber Riley (Dreamgirls) and-my highlight- a moving acceptance speech by Harry Potter's Hermoine, Noma Dumezweni.