The annual Olivier Awards were presented in London (England) on February 15, 2002 at the Victoria Palace, and were televised by the BBC. Named after the great, late English actor, Laurence Olivier, the awards are presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of distinguished artistic achievement in London theatre.
Established in 1976 as The Society of West End Theatre Awards, Lord Olivier agreed to have his name associated with the awards in 1984. Regarded as the most prestigious honor in London theatre, they include selected design fields (like the Tonys, there is no sound design category) as well as actors, directors, plays, and musicals. One thing that is unusal about the Olivier Awards is that members of the theatre-going public, as well as theatre professionals, make up the panel of judges for the awards.
The 2002 Olivier Awards winners in the design categories are:
BEST SET DESIGNER
Tim Hatley for HUMBLE BOY at the Cottesloe (Royal National Theatre) and PRIVATE LIVES at the Albery. Hatley is a previous Olivier winner, honored in 1997 for his set design for STANLEY, also in the Cottesloe at the National.
HUMBLE BOY with Tim Hatley's award-winning sets was seen at the Royal National Theatre last fall.
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER
Jenny Beavan for PRIVATE LIVES at the Albery
BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER
Mark Henderson for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at the Albery and THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD at the Cottesloe (Royal National Theatre). Henderson is also a prior Olivier honoree, winning in 2000 for a group of productions, ranging from PLENTY to THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
A full list of 2002 Olivier Award winners can be found at http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier/index.cfm