The Laurence Olivier Award for Actress of the Year in a New Play was an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of the "world-class status of London theatre." The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.
This award was presented from 1976 to 1984, then in 1985 the award was combined with the Actress of the Year in a Revival award to create the Best Actress award. The original Actress of the Year in a New Play award returned one last time, for the 1988 ceremony.
Winners and nominees 1970s Year Actor Play Character 1976 Peggy Ashcroft Old World Lidya Vasilyevna Pauline Collins Engaged Belinda Trehern Penelope Keith Donkeys' Years Lady Driver Joan Plowright The Bed Before Yesterday Alma 1977 Alison Fiske Dusa, Fish, Stats and Vi Fish Glenda Jackson Stevie Stevie Smith Glynis Johns Cause Célèbre Alma Rosemary Leach Just Between Ourselves Vera 1978 Joan Plowright Filumena Filumena Marturano Yvonne Bryceland The Woman Hecuba Sylvia Miles Vieux Carré Mrs. Wire Kate Nelligan Plenty Susan 1979 Jane Lapotaire Piaf Édith Piaf Constance Cummings Wings Emily Stilson Gemma Jones And a Nightingale Sang Helen Jessica Tandy The Gin Game Fonsia Dorsey
1980s Year Actor Play Character 1980 Frances de la Tour Duet for One Stephanie Shelagh Holliday A Lesson from Aloes Gladys Glenda Jackson Rose Rose Joan Plowright Enjoy Connie Craven 1981 Elizabeth Quinn Children of a Lesser God Sarah Eileen Atkins Passion Play Nell Janet Dale The Accrington Pals May Maggie Smith Virginia Virginia Woolf 1982 Rosemary Leach 84, Charing Cross Road Narrator Judy Davis Insignificance The Actress Judi Dench Other Places Deborah Anna Massey Summer Xenia 1983 Judi Dench Pack of Lies Barbara Jackson Sara Kestelman The Custom of the Country Zenocia Maureen Lipman Messiah Rachel Janet Suzman Cowardice Nina 1984 Thuli Dumakude Poppie Nongena Poppie Brenda Blethyn Benefactors Sheila Julie Covington Tom & Viv Vivienne Haigh-Wood Eliot Julie Walters Fool for Love May 1988 Pauline Collins Shirley Valentine Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw Gillian Barge Mrs. Klein Melanie Klein Saskia Reeves Separation Sarah Penelope Wilton The Secret Rapture Marion French
See also Best Actress Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play Lists of acting awards Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play
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