After being held at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane earlier this year, the 36th Olivier Awards will be hosted at London’s prestigious Royal Opera House for the first time ever at a star-studded ceremony on Sunday 15 April 2012.

The event will be moving slightly later than usual in the theatrical calendar. Nominations for the awards will be announced on Thursday 15 March 2012 with a cut-off date of Thursday 16 February 2012 for eligible productions.

Mark Rubinstein, President of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), said: “Following the huge success of last year’s event under the inspired direction of our Chief Executive Julian Bird, we are delighted to be hosting the 36th Olivier Awards with MasterCard at the beautiful Royal Opera House. We look forward to welcoming the finest theatrical talent to the industry’s premier awards.”

The 2011 Oliviers were celebrated at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane at a high-profile ceremony and awards show, at which guests enjoyed a spectacular night of entertainment.

The Laurence Olivier Awards were created in 1976 as The Society of West End Theatre Awards to recognise excellence on the London stage and became the Laurence Olivier Awards in 1984 when Lord Olivier gave his name to the awards

The Society of London Theatre is the association which represents the producers, theatre owners and managers of the 52 major commercial and grant-aided theatres in central London. The organisation exists in order to promote theatregoing, develop audiences, and to serve, protect and promote the interests of those engaged in theatre across London.

The awards include 24 categories, although they are not all given each year:  18 for theatre, two for opera, two for dance, one for productions presented by SOLT’s (Society of London Theatre) Affiliate members and the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Most Popular Show.  The Society of London Theatre also presents the Special Award.