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Sir Matthew Bourne makes history at this year's Olivier Awards 2020

26 October 2020

Sir Matthew Bourne makes history by becoming the individual with the most Olivier Awards following a win for "Best Theatre Choreographer" at this year's ceremony

Matthew Bourne with his Special Award in recognition of his achievements in dance at the Oliviers 2019
Matthew Bourne with his Special Award in recognition of his achievements in dance at the Oliviers 2019 Credit: Pamela Raith

Following last night’s win for "Best Theatre Choreographer" for Mary Poppins (which he shares with Co-Choreographer, Stephen Mear), Matthew Bourne now becomes the individual with the most Olivier wins in the history of the awards.

This most recent award is Bourne’s record-breaking 9th Olivier and surpasses the record he jointly held with Dame Judi Dench.

It comes in the same year that New Adventures Associate Artist Paule Constable won Best Lighting Design for The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Bourne’s collaborator on Mary Poppins, Bob Crowley, won Best Set Design for the hit musical.

Matthew Bourne received his first Olivier nomination in 1992 for his then-company, Adventures In Motion Pictures season of Town and Country at The Royal Court Theatre. His first win was in 1996 for Best New Dance Production for his now-legendary Swan Lake and he has received a total of 12 nominations across an extraordinary six different categories! (including 6 nominations and 5 wins in the “Best Theatre Choreographer” category) At last years ceremony, he was presented with the Oliviers highest honour, The Special Award, by the HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Matthew Bourne Olivier History

WINS IN BOLD 

1992 – TOWN AND COUNTRY – Outstanding Achievement in Dance

1996 – SWAN LAKE – Best New Dance Production

2001 –THE CAR MAN – Outstanding Achievement in Dance

2002 – MY FAIR LADY – Best Theatre Choreographer

2003 – PLAY WITHOUT WORDS – Best Entertainment/Family

2003 – PLAY WITHOUT WORDS – Best Theatre Choreographer

2003 – PLAY WITHOUT WORDS – Best Director

2005 – MARY POPPINS – Best Theatre Choreographer (with Stephen Mear)

2010 – OLIVER! – Best Theatre Choreographer

2017 – THE RED SHOES - Best Entertainment/Family

2017 – THE RED SHOES – Best Theatre Choreographer

2019 – SPECIAL AWARD

2020 – MARY POPPINS – Best Theatre Choreographer (with Stephen Mear)

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