"Olivier is somebody I owe so much, my career owes so much to. His generosity, his faith in me. So to win an award in his name is very special"
Derek Jacobi

"It means everything to win an Olivier Award. You certainly don’t go into this for the recognition, but it sure feels lovely when you get it. "
Michelle Terry

"Just to have the nomination is amazing because I never believed that I would be in this situation"
Sarah Lancashire

"It’s an absolute thrill, particularly looking at the list of people who’ve been given it before, beginning with Olivier and then Gielgud and Richardson and Judi Dench and all those actors I’ve so admired"
Sir Ian McKellen

"That’s the highpoint of my life, I’ll look back on this night and think it was downhill from there"
Rupert Goold

"I used to watch the Oliviers on TV as a kid and dream of winning one of these. I’m so pleased they are televising it again this year because that’s the way you inspire the next generation."
Neil Austin

“I’ve been nominated a few times and the fact that I never won until now I always thought was Larry’s revenge.”
Maggie Smith

"It’s the most exciting awards event that we have in this country really. It’s the Laurence Olivier Awards; they’re very very precious to us, as he was."
Janie Dee

"I can’t believe I’ve won an Olivier Award. I feel like I’m completely blagging it and this man never did."
Sheridan Smith

“Winning an Olivier Award is a dream come true. It’s the best thing that has happened in my life”
Bill Deamer

“Theatre is a massive industry in this country and it should be looked upon as an incredible thing”
Lee Evans

“To see Dame Helen Mirren receive her award, those are incredible moments that will live with you. Everything is such a visual spectacular and a sensory overload. It’s just everything that you want the awards to be”
Myleene Klass

“On an evening like this, one is just reminded of what has gone on in one year and the amount of work that has been put into London theatre… it is really a celebration of our theatre in all its forms”
David Suchet

“I wasn’t expecting to feel so emotional, that’s the odd thing. You look out there and you see all those people, it’s gorgeous isn’t it?”
Richard McCabe

“It’s a testament to collaboration and what working together can bring, and how theatre made with a fantastic team can make audiences happy”
Finn Ross

“I’m so excited that [the Olivier Awards] has been elevated in the way that it has, especially being televised this year. The bigger deal we make of it, the bigger deal people will perceive of it, and West End theatre deserves that. All theatre deserves that”
Leigh Zimmerman

“Theatre is important to me. It really is. Good theatre transcends any other art form”
Tim Minchin

“It feels slightly overwhelming to win, I have to say. Tremendously overwhelming, but tremendously, tremendously exciting and immensely flattering”
Simon Stephens