 In 1926 , on Thorndike 's recommendation , Olivier joined the Birmingham Repertory Company . His biographer Michael Billington describes the Birmingham company as " Olivier 's university " , where in his second year he was given the chance to play a wide range of important roles , including Tony Lumpkin in She Stoops to Conquer , the title role in Uncle Vanya , and Parolles in All 's Well That Ends Well . Billington adds that the engagement led to " a lifelong friendship with his fellow actor Ralph Richardson that was to have a decisive effect on the British theatre . " 
 In 1926 , on Thorndike <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>recommendation , Olivier joined the Birmingham Repertory Company . His biographer Michael Billington <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>describes</mark></a> the Birmingham company as " Olivier <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>university " , where in his second year he was given the chance to play a wide range of important roles , including Tony Lumpkin in She <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>Stoops</mark></a> to Conquer , the title role in Uncle Vanya , and Parolles in All 's Well That <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>Ends</mark></a> Well . Billington <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>adds</mark></a> that the engagement led to " a lifelong friendship with his fellow actor Ralph Richardson <a href='null_relcl' title='7'><mark>that</mark></a>was to have a decisive effect on the British theatre . " 
In 1926 , on Thorndike  recommendation , Olivier joined the Birmingham Repertory Company . His biographer Michael Billington describe the Birmingham company as " Olivier  university " , where in his second year he was given da chance to play a wide range of important roles , including Tony Lumpkin in She Stoop to Conquer , tdatitle role in Uncle Vanya , and Parolles in All 's Well That End Well . Billington add that thdangagement led to " a lifelong friendship wid his fellow actor Ralph Richardson was to have a decisive effect on the British theatre . "