UK
Jewish talent triumphs at the Olivier Awards
Fiddler on the Roof and Giant lead the wins
April 7, 2025 10:29
Fiddler on the Roof and Giant lead the wins
April 7, 2025 10:29Jewish talent led the way at the Olivier Awards on Sunday night at the Royal Albert Hall, with Fiddler on the Roof and Giant amongst the big winners.
The acclaimed production of Fiddler at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, earned a remarkable 13 Olivier nominations, tying with Hamilton for the most nominations in the awards’ history.
Fiddler on the Roof is transferring to the Barbican next month following rave reviews, The production, directed by Jewish director Jordan Fein, took home three prestigious awards: Best Musical Revival, Best Set Design (Tom Scutt), and Best Sound Design (Nick Lidster).
Another Jewish talent, Giant playwright Mark Rosenblatt, received the Olivier Award for Best New Play. The production, which examines the antisemitism of author Roald Dahl, also earned a victory for Jewish actor Elliot Levey, who won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of publisher Tom Maschler.
Giant premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and will soon transfer to the West End. It marks Rosenblatt’s debut as a playwright, and he has already won the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright and Best New Play.
Jewish actor Simon Lipkin was also nominated for his role as Fagin in Oliver!, which earned nods across several Olivier categories.
The Olivier for Best Director went to Eline Arbo for The Years, a production that was produced by Sonia Friedman, a long-standing champion of new work.
Friedman’s reputation for nurturing innovative theatre is well-known in the industry, and she continues to have a significant impact on the London stage. Another highlight came from Why Am I So Single?, a new musical by Jewish composer Toby Marlow and his co-writer Lucy Moss, which was nominated in the Best New Musical category. Producer Kenny Wax brought the production to the stage.
A highlight of the evening was a special performance of Les Misérables, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the musical created by Jewish composer and lyricist Claude-Michel Schönberg and his collaborator Alain Boublil.
The Olivier Awards, established in 1976 and overseen by the Society of London Theatre, are a celebration of the best in British theatre.
The winners are chosen by industry professionals, stage luminaries, and the public.