In the 1950s Olivier was an independent actor-manager, but his stage career was in the doldrums until he joined the avant garde English Stage Company in 1957 to play the title role in The Entertainer.
Olivier's acting and directing career hit a rut in the 1950s, but he regained momentum by joining the avant-garde English Stage Company in 1957, starring as the lead in their groundbreaking production of The Entertainer.