Throughout their relationship, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier aspired to conquer not only the London stage, but Broadway as well. Despite disappointment from a failed production of Romeo and Juliet in 1940, Larry and Vivien would not be deterred from showing the world their theatrical talents separately and as a couple. After their marriage, it was Olivier's intent to make them a stage couple that would be the British equivalent to their friends, the famous American stage pair and real-life couple, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Vivien was as eager to prove her talents on stage as Larry was act the great parts. They were fan favorites as much as critics', though Vivien struggled for the better part of her career to gain critical recognition for her talents rather than her beauty, and Larry denied critic's assumptions that he was downplaying his performances to let Vivien shine. By the late 1940s' the Oliviers were known as theatre royalty, performing together in plays by every famous playwright from Shakespeare to Thornton Wilder. When not performing together, Larry often directed Vivien's solo performances in such plays as The Skin of Our Teeth, Antigone and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Click the photo below to view images from productions the Oliviers starred in together.

     

 
 
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