The awards were first established in 1976 by the Society of London Theatre as the Society of West End Awards and were designed by artist Tom Merrifield . In 1984 , British actor Laurence Olivier gave his consent for the awards to be renamed in his honour and they became known as the Laurence Olivier Awards . The first awards ceremony was held in December 1976 at Café Royal
first awards ceremony
1976 Laurence Olivier Awards
Laurence Olivier Award