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See Olivier Awards for more information about the awards and a full list of categories and winners.

The Laurence Olivier Awards are a series of awards presented annually by The Society of London Theatre. They are presented in recognition of achievements in commercial British theatre, most notably plays and musicals in the West End of London, an area commonly referred to as "Theatreland". The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976 and, in 1984 they we renamed in honour of the renowned British actor Sir Laurence Olivier. The Olivier Awards are the most prestigious theatrical awards in the United Kingdom and are the UK equivalent of the Tony Awards.

Award winners

• 1979: Virginia McKenna – The King and I
• 1980: Gemma Craven – They're Playing Our Song
• 1981: Carlin Glynn – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
• 1982: Julia McKenzie – Guys and Dolls
• 1983: Barbara Dickson – Blood Brothers
• 1984: Natalia Makarova – On Your Toes
• 1985: Patti LuPone – Les Miserables and The Cradle Will Rock
• 1986: Lesley Mackie – Judy
• 1987: Nichola McAuliffe – Kiss Me Kate
• 1988: Patricia Routledge – Candide
• 1990: Lea Salonga – Miss Saigon
• 1991: Imelda Staunton – Into The Woods
• 1992: Wilhelmenia Fernandez – Carmen Jones
• 1993: Joanna Riding – Carousel
• 1994: Julia McKenzie – Sweeney Todd
• 1995: Ruthie Henshall – She Loves Me
• 1996: Judi Dench – A Little Night Music
• 1997: Maria Friedman – Passion
• 1998: Ute Lemper – Chicago
• 1999: Sophie Thompson – Into The Woods
• 2000: Barbara Dickson – Spend Spend Spend
• 2001: Samantha Spiro – Merrily We Roll Along
• 2002: Martine McCutcheon – My Fair Lady
• 2003: Joanna Riding – My Fair Lady
• 2004: Maria Friedman – Ragtime
• 2005: Laura Michelle Kelly – Mary Poppins
• 2006: Jane Krakowski – Guys and Dolls
• 2007: Jenna Russell – Sunday in the Park with George
• 2008: Leanne Jones – Hairspray
• 2009: Elena Roger - Piaf (musical)