Maria Friedman will direct and star in The Oliviers In Concert when the theatrical extravaganza celebrating an incredible 40 years of the UK’s most illustrious theatre awards takes place in January.
The three-time Olivier Award winner will perform alongside fellow recipients Daniel Evans, Adrian Lester and David Thaxton in the celebratory gala concert on 25 January at the Royal Festival Hall.
During the course of her hugely successful musical career, Friedman has picked up two coveted Best Actress in a Musical accolades for her performances in Ragtime and Passion, as well as the 1999 Best Entertainment Award for her own concert Maria Friedman – By Special Arrangement.
The actress will bring her directorial flair to proceedings having made her directing debut in 2013 with the Menier Chocolate Factory’s Olivier Award-winning production of Merrily We Roll Along. She has since taken the helm of the summer’s critically acclaimed production of High Society at The Old Vic.
Friedman’s forthcoming co-star Evans has picked up an Olivier Award for the same Stephen Sondheim hit, having taken home the Best Actor in a Musical prize in 2001 for the original London production of Merrily We Roll Along. The Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director followed his first win with another award for Sunday In The Park With George in 2007.
Former Les Misérables star Thaxton also has an Olivier Award-winning show in common with the actress and director having received the 2011 Best Actor in a Musical prize for Passion, while Lester was awarded the category’s 1996 prize for Company.
The newly announced performers will take to the Royal Festival Hall’s stage in the new year to perform an exciting selection of songs from Olivier Award-winning musicals with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Further casting is still to be announced.
Taking place in the midst of the theatre awards season, which culminates on 3 April with the illustrious Olivier Awards ceremony, The Oliviers In Concert promises theatre fans an unmissable evening of musical entertainment.
The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, but for those wishing to enjoy the star-studded concert in person, tickets for The Oliviers In Concert can be booked through us.
