Statement from President Michael D. Higgins - The Olivier Awards 2016
Date: Mon 4th Apr, 2016 | 14:45
Welcoming the Irish success at the 40th Olivier Awards last night, President Michael D. Higgins congratulated the Irish laureates today:
“The Olivier Awards are the most prestigious theatre awards in the United Kingdom and the awards won by Irish nominees are a great recognition and tribute to Irish theatre.
May I send my warmest congratulations to Pat Kinevane and Fishamble theatre for their Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for ‘Silent’, to Martin McDonagh winning Best New Play for ‘Hangmen’, to Sally Rogers who stars in the play and collected the award on behalf of Martin McDonagh, and to Denise Gough who received Best Actress theatre award for her role as Emma in the play ‘People, Places and Things’, written by Duncan Macmillan.
I wish them every success – May I also convey my best wishes to the countless actors, actresses, directors, stagehands, playwrights, designers, choreographers and many others that make up Irish theatre.
Their work reminds us of the vitality and indeed importance of culture and of theatre in the life of our nation.
Theatre offers us the opportunity to dream, to question, to learn, to experiment and to experience. Theatre offers a critique and a mirror onto the society we have created.
It is most encouraging to all Irish people at home and abroad to see the success of Irish theatre, and the recognition it is receiving in the shape of these awards.”