Zoë plays a key role in the prestigious 2017 Olivier Awards

15 April 2017 03:23

On 9 April, Zoë and her husband, Gawn Grainger, joined other leading lights from the UK theatre industry at the Olivier Awards 2017 in London. For the second year running, Zoë was chosen to provide the voiceover for the prestigious ceremony, which took place at the Royal Albert Hall. She also appeared on stage twice during the course of the evening, wearing a show-stopping long black dress.

Backstage at the event, Zoë was photographed laughing, as well as in a more reflective mood.

When the nominations for the Virgin Atlantic Best New Play were announced, she was invited to speak briefly to the audience about the compelling nature of Nick Payne's Elegy, in which she starred last year at the Donmar Warehouse as a woman battling a neurological disorder. 'Elegy is set in the very near future, exploring a world where the brain is no longer a mystery to us. But Nick's play asks at what cost?' Zoë emphasised. 'As part of its original cast, [having] play[ed] one of its three fantastic characters alongside Barbara Flynn and Nina Sosanya, I'm delighted that Elegy has been nominated tonight. Nick has written a play for today.'

Unfortunately, Zoe's speech wasn't included in the Olivier Awards' TV coverage on ITV1 (the broadcast slot was shorter than the ceremony itself). However, a couple of great photos of her making the speech have been released. Elegy lost out to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (the winner of an unprecedented nine Oliviers) in the end; nevertheless, its nomination for such a major award pays tribute to the tremendous talents of the writer and cast.

Towards the end of the ceremony, Zoë and her husband were among more than 60 members of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company who gathered on stage to celebrate Branagh's Society of London Theatre Special Award. Having both appeared in the company's 2015-16 Plays at the Garrick season in the West End (Zoë in All On Her Own/Harlequinade, Gawn in The Entertainer), they looked delighted to be honouring their friend and colleague.

Thank you, Karoline, for your help and images of the souvenir brochure.

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