- English Heritage has commemorated Sir Laurence Olivier with a blue plaque at his childhood home in Pimlico, unveiled by Sir Ian McKellen
- Giving his name to the Olivier Awards and founding the National Theatre, Sir Laurence Olivier remains one of the defining figures of British theatre
Sir Laurence Olivier, widely regarded as among the greatest actors of the 20th century, has been commemorated with an English Heritage blue plaque at his childhood home in Pimlico. Unveiled by Sir Ian McKellen, the plaque at 22 Lupus Street marks the London address where Olivier first began acting as a child and where the foundations of his extraordinary theatrical and film career were laid. Society of London Theatre President Kash Bennett was in attendance at the unveiling, alongside SOLT & UK Theatre Co-CEO Claire Walker. Speeches were given by Sir Ian McKellen, and Indhu Rubasingham, Director of the National Theatre.
Watch the moment the plaque was unveiled on the Olivier Awards social media channels.
“In his lifetime Laurence Olivier’s achievements, on stage and on screen, were unique and legendary. He was a Hollywood star, the first Director of the National Theatre of Great Britain, producer, director, as well as actor. He lives on in the work of those actors who admired him and in the memory of audiences who were lucky enough to see him in person.”
Sir Ian McKellen
Olivier lived at the house between the ages of six to 11, while his father served as curate at nearby St Saviour’s Church, where Olivier himself was a choir boy. Family recollections describe how the young “Larry” transformed a wooden box and a set of blue curtains into a makeshift stage, performing songs, dances and dramatic sketches for hours at a time. During these years he attended All Saints School, Margaret Street, where his talent was recognised by the legendary actress – and fellow blue plaque recipient – Ellen Terry, who reportedly declared that the ten-year-old was “already a great actor”.
“Laurence Olivier transformed British theatre and film through the brilliance, range and intensity of his performances. What makes Lupus Street so special is that it is where it all began for Olivier, as an imaginative London child first discovering a love of performance. The plaque celebrates the formative home where one of Britain’s greatest cultural figures first found his voice as an actor.”
Howard Spencer, English Heritage Senior Historian
Olivier’s influence extended far beyond performance. As founding director of the National Theatre, he helped shape the future of British theatre and championed a new generation of actors and playwrights. Honoured with a knighthood, a life peerage and the Order of Merit, he remains one of the defining figures of modern British culture, with the Olivier Awards named in his honour in 1984.
The London-wide blue plaques scheme has been running for more than 150 years, and was taken on by English Heritage in 1986. The English Heritage London Blue Plaques scheme is generously supported by David Pearl and members of the public.
Share: