The Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the most prestigious theatrical prizes in the UK, is searching for public panellists to watch a year’s theatre for free and help choose the theatremakers who will be honoured at the 2015 ceremony.
To paraphrase a saying, with great access to the best shows London has to offer comes great responsibility. Singling out the finest performances, the greatest direction, the most scintillating designs, the most striking operatic performances and the dancers who stood head and shoulders above their colleagues is a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
The Olivier Awards with MasterCard, which is organised by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) employs judges from the public to sit alongside industry professionals on panels dedicated to theatre, opera, dance and the work of SOLT’s affiliate theatres. Together they help choose the productions, performers and creatives who will be nominated for an award.
There are few rules about who can or can’t be a panellist, but if you are interested, you must be 18 or older, live within striking distance of London and be able to commit to seeing all of the eligible shows in your category during the judging year. For the 2015 awards, that year kicks off on 26 February 2014.
Applying is a simple process, involving submitting details, writing a short review of a show you have seen in 2013 and compiling a list of the shows you have seen this year. Admissions must be made by 20 January and shortlisted candidates will be asked to SOLT’s offices for an interview.
You can apply by visiting the panellists page on Olivier Awards website.
Before the 2015 process begins, the Olivier Awards team will be preparing for the star-studded 2014 ceremony, which will be held at the Royal Opera House on 13 April.