Oliviers 2024: Sarah Snook urges theatre not to shy away from ‘digital’ work

Succession star Sarah Snook has urged theatre to embrace collaborations with digital projects.

The Australian performer said she hoped that live entertainment could capture young audiences’ imaginations like prestige television has – but encouraged theatre to "embrace" projections and camera work on stage.

Accepting her best actress award for her role in Theatre Royal Haymarket’s The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Olivier Awards on April 14, Snook said: "[Our director] Kip Williams is challenging that notion right now, with our show having so much technology and camera work. We shouldn’t be shying away from [digital collaborations with art]; embracing it is an important aspect.

"This show fortunately has the ability to embrace it really appropriately but there is nothing like being in a theatre and seeing something that’s special and clapping all together at the end when you’ve seen something you’ve marvelled at."

The actor, who began her career on the Australian stage, also heralded London’s world-class status at the Royal Albert Hall ceremony. Snook, who plays more than 20 characters in her Olivier-winning performance, said the West End was "the beginning" of theatre.

She told The Stage: "It’s where we all wanted to go, as kids growing up in theatre. We’d say: ‘I’d love to work on the West End, I’d love to work on Broadway. I’d love to go overseas.’ The West End is one of those places – so many famous playwrights, directors and artists come from London. It’s the hub."