Laurence Olivier's Shakespeare stage career and celebrated productions (1935–1970)

1. Gielgud’s Romeo and Juliet opens in London

   Oct 18, 1935Labels: John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, New Theatre

   • Olivier bio
   • Romeo Juliet

2. Olivier and Gielgud exchange Romeo and Mercutio

   Nov 28, 1935Labels: Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, New Theatre

   • Olivier bio

3. Olivier makes Old Vic debut as Henry V

   Jan 1, 1937Labels: Laurence Olivier, Old Vic, Tyrone Guthrie

   • Old Vic story
   • RSC Henry V

4. Old Vic performs Hamlet at Elsinore, Denmark

   Jan 1, 1937Labels: Old Vic, Laurence Olivier, Kronborg Castle

   • Old Vic Elsinore
   • Smithsonian film

5. Olivier plays Macbeth at the Old Vic

   Jan 1, 1937Labels: Laurence Olivier, Old Vic, Judith Anderson

   • Folger catalog
   • Old Vic story

6. Olivier’s Richard III wins acclaim in wartime London

   Sep 14, 1944Labels: Laurence Olivier, Richard III, New Theatre

   • Guardian archive
   • Richard III film

7. Old Vic seasons highlight Olivier’s range in Henry IV

   Jan 1, 1945Labels: Old Vic, Laurence Olivier, Henry IV

   • British Heritage
   • Olivier bio

8. Olivier plays King Lear at the Old Vic

   Nov 1, 1946Labels: Laurence Olivier, King Lear, Old Vic

   • Criterion essay
   • Olivier stage list

9. Olivier’s Hamlet wins major international film recognition

   Mar 24, 1949Labels: Laurence Olivier, Hamlet, Academy Awards

   • Oscars 21st
   • Guinness

10. Olivier stars in Brook’s Titus Andronicus at Stratford

    Jan 1, 1955Labels: Laurence Olivier, Peter Brook, Shakespeare Memorial

    • RSC Titus
    • Olivier bio

11. Olivier leads Hall’s Coriolanus for the RSC

    Jan 1, 1959Labels: Laurence Olivier, Peter Hall, Royal Shakespeare

    • RSC Coriolanus
    • Olivier bio

12. National Theatre opens with Olivier-directed Hamlet

    Oct 22, 1963Labels: National Theatre, Laurence Olivier, Hamlet

    • Guardian 1963
    • RNT overview

13. Olivier plays Othello in Dexter’s National Theatre production

    Apr 21, 1964Labels: Laurence Olivier, John Dexter, National Theatre

    • RNT overview
    • Cambridge essay

14. Filmed Othello extends stage production’s legacy

    Dec 15, 1965Labels: Othello film, Laurence Olivier, National Theatre

    • Othello film
    • RNT overview