The Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard have announced the recipients of this year’s Industry Recognition Awards.
Eleanor Lloyd, President of Society of London Theatre, said:
“The Industry Recognition category honours some of the most dedicated, hard-working and pioneering individuals in theatre, and this year’s recipients are no exception. We are delighted to present the award to all five recipients who have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and service to the industry.”
The recipients of this year’s Industry Recognition Awards are:
Sylvia Addison for her work in orchestral contracting
Sylvia is one of London’s foremost orchestral contractors and her clients include theatre producers, composers, conductors, orchestrators, record producers and vocal artists in many fields of the music industry.
Sylvia’s theatre credits include The Little Big Things, A Strange Loop, The Wizard Of Oz, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, We Will Rock You, Guys & Dolls, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Great British Bake Off Musical, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, My Fair Lady, Strictly Ballroom, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Drifter’s Girl, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, Back To The Future, White Christmas, The Lion King, Sleepless, Big The Musical, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Blues In The Night, The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾, Fiddler On The Roof, Only Fools And Horses, Fun Home, Five Guys Named Moe, Dreamgirls, Rent, School Of Rock, Elf The Musical, Mrs Henderson Presents, Bend It Like Beckham, Barnum, Miss Saigon, The Scottsboro Boys, Merrily We Roll Along and Top Hat.
Vereen Irving for her work in ticketing and box office management
Vereen started working at the Adelphi Theatre in September 1978 as a telephonist, when Harold Fielding’s production of Irene was playing. Shortly afterwards, Vereen was promoted to General Clerk, then Deputy Box Office Manager in 1981 during My Fair Lady, graduating to Box Office Manager in 1989 during the run of Me And My Girl. Further shows that Vereen looked after during her box office career at the Adelphi Theatre included Beyond The Rainbow, The American Dream Machine, Annie, Marilyn! The Musical, Poppy, Lena Horne: The Lady And Her Music, The Jungle Book, Sunset Boulevard, Damn Yankees, Chicago, Evita, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Derren Brown: Enigma, The Rat Pack, Love Never Dies, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, The Bodyguard, Made In Dagenham, Kinky Boots, Waitress and One Man, Two Guvnors. Vereen continued to work at the Adelphi Theatre as Ticketing & Sales Manager until 2021, before moving to LW Theatres’ head office as Group Inventory Manager.
Robert Israel for his work in theatre insurance
Robert is Chairman and Managing Director of Gordon & Co., a family run independent insurance brokers founded in the mid-1930s by his father, Bobby Israel. Theatre has been a major part of Robert’s life from a very early age. His mother, Renee Stepham, was a well-respected theatrical agent who used to take him all over the country to see pantomimes, summer seasons and a vast array of concerts. Robert has been privileged over his 50-year career to work with clients from across the sector, from the smallest theatre companies to the biggest, most prestigious production companies in the UK. Placing the insurance is of course only part of the job. Robert’s advice to clients extends to providing claims assistance as and when the need arises. Robert is delighted to look back on his career knowing that, in a small way, he has and continues to make a difference to the world of theatre.
Richard Walton for his work in theatre insurance
Richard attended The Nautical College, Pangbourne. His career in theatre began in 1957 when he returned from National Service to become a General Manager and then a Producer, with credits including Fairy Tales Of New York at the Comedy Theatre and Beyond The Fringe at the Fortune Theatre. In 1962, he left the West End to work for Laurence Olivier at the opening of Chichester Festival Theatre before moving into insurance and broking, specialising in theatre and production cover, setting up his own company in 1969. Richard became a director of numerous London theatres and production companies, including the Lyric Hammersmith and the Playhouse Theatre. He created an independent production company, LHP Limited, of which he has been chairman for over 25 years. In 2004, Richard sold his insurance broking business, now the theatre arm of Tysers. Despite retiring in 2007, Richard is still busy in theatre and occasionally film production.
Susan Whiddington for her work in theatre education and audience development
Susan is the founding director and Chief Executive of Go Live Theatre Projects, a theatre education charity dedicated to creating opportunities for disadvantaged young people and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, enabling them to attend outstanding theatre across London and participate in a broad range of drama-based creative learning projects. Susan is the current Chair of Tri-Borough Music Trust. She is past Chair of John Lyon’s Charity and now serves as an ambassador for the charity. Susan is also the Vice-Chair of Action for Children’s Arts, a Trustee of DanceWest and an Advisory Board Member for Facing History and Ourselves. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, an elected member of the International Women’s Forum, co-chairing its Arts & Culture Committee and is a graduate of Windsor Leadership, Common Purpose and the Coro Foundation. Susan received her CBE (Commander of the British Empire) for Services to Young People in 2020.
