Gravesend actress Gemma Arterton is one of the favourites for an Olivier Award and there’s plenty of fun for everyone else too as a pop-up space for free events and activities has opened in central London.

The Olivier celebrations start today near the Covent Garden Piazza entrance to the Royal Opera House with activities, workshops and exhibitions running until the day of the glitzy awards bash on Sunday, April 12.

The free, ticketed events include a storytelling workshop with Jacqueline Wilson, whose novel Hetty Feather was adapted for the stage and is nominated for the Best Entertainment and Family Award.

Other events include professional stage make-up demonstrations and masterclasses such as comedy improvisation workshops by The Play That Goes Wrong, which is nominated for Best New Comedy, and a talk by celebrated backstage photographer Matt Humphrey.

A display of Olivier nominated costumes will be displayed and there will be sketches from Christopher Oram (Wolf Hall) and the audience award finalists: Billy Elliot the Musical, Jersey Boys, Matilda the Musical and Wicked.

You’ll also get the chance to be photographed on the pop-up’s own red carpet and pose with an Olivier Award statue.

Go to olivierawards.com/pop-up

Highlights of the awards show will be on ITV from 10.15pm on Sunday.

Former Gravesend Grammar School for Girls pupil Gemma Arterton is up for Best Actress in a Musical award for her role in Made in Dagenham.