Kevin Spacey CBE announced as Special Award winner
The acclaimed actor, Kevin Spacey, will be presented with a Special Award at the Olivier Awards 2015 with MasterCard ceremony on Sunday 12 April at London’s Royal Opera House. The award will acknowledge the actor, director and producer’s extraordinary contribution to The Old Vic and to British theatre.
Kevin Spacey revived the fortunes and reputation of The Old Vic when he became Artistic Director in 2004 and, as an actor, has delighted audiences on The Old Vic stage and around the world. Through his inspirational leadership, he has placed The Old Vic back at the heart of London theatre and secured its reputation on the international stage. His commitment to Old Vic New Voices, The Old Vic’s mentoring program for emerging talent, and The Old Vic’s education and community work, has made a significant impact on the lives of 100,000 young people and local residents in one of London’s most deprived boroughs.
Kevin Spacey steps down as Artistic Director of The Old Vic in autumn 2015 and is succeeded by Matthew Warchus.
Caro Newling, President of the Society of London Theatre, said: “The Society of London Theatre is delighted to formally acknowledge Kevin Spacey’s outstanding contribution to The Old Vic. In general his advocacy of London theatre has been a constant boon, and many of us will miss him as a valued colleague”.
Established in 1976, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world class status of London theatre and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honors. The event will broadcast on ITV as a highlights package later that evening.
Spacey is currently starring as Frank Underwood in the Washington, DC-based series, House Of Cards, the third season of which has just premiered on Netflix. For his performance he has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. The series, which is produced by Spacey’s production company Trigger Street, is largely filmed in the Baltimore area.
For further information please visit www.olivierawards.com