Tasha Chapple performs Quiet from Matilda at the 2014 Olivier Awards with Mastercard Ceremony hosted by Gemma Arterton and Stephen Mangan.

The Olivier Awards with Mastercard are not only worldrenowned, they’re the most soughtafter and highly regarded accolade in British theatre. The awards have always marked true theatrical greatness and celebrated excellence in the industry. However, they have not always been how we know them today.

In 1976, the Society of West End Theatre (now known as the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) created an eponymous awards ceremony to celebrate the very best performers and creatives in the West End. Among the winners were Alan Howard, Peggy Ashcroft, Penelope Keith and Jonathan Miller.