Elaine Paige and Ruth Wilson To Announce 2013 Oliviers Nominations

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2013 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - will be announced by Olivier Award winners Ruth Wilson and Elaine Paige on Tuesday 26 March at 11.30am live on the BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce show.

The live broadcast is part of a special event at London's May Fair Hotel featuring a performance from last year's seven-time winners Matilda - The Musical.

The announcement covers all of the eligible categories for 2013 including the four shortlisted nominees for the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award - the only Olivier Award for long running shows chosen by the public - that has already enjoyed a record-breaking year with more than 65,000 votes.

The star-studded Olivier Awards ceremony will take place at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 28 April, hosted by Hugh Bonneville and Sheridan Smith. The ceremony will be live on BBC Radio 2 from 6.30pm with the award announcements as they happen and also exclusive red carpet interviews with the stars as they arrive before the big night. A full television highlights package will also be broadcast on ITV later in the evening.

Theatre-lovers are invited to gather at the BBC Radio 2 Stage in Covent Garden Piazza from 4pm on the day for a free Olivier Awards celebration featuring live performances from several top West End shows - including the four shortlisted BBC Radio 2 Audience Award nominees - as well as special guests. Awards-themed fun on offer will include make-up demos courtesy of MAC, styling tips from Chester Barrie and cocktail making lessons with Radisson Edwardian.

To keep up with the latest Olivier Awards news and engage with the Awards online visit Facebook.com/olivierawards, Twitter and Instagram @OlivierAwards #oliviers.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos