I have no idea as to why, but the Oliviers seem to make many strange decisions every year. They don't generally announce the various changes/decisions made year-to-year as the Tonys do so it's hard to figure out their reasoning. Some of my thoughts/observations with regards to what you brought up:
The Best New Comedy award is returning for the first time this year since 2010. Apparently there weren't enough worthy plays (well, comedies at least) in the last 3 years.
The gave out 2 directing awards, 1 for plays and 1 for musicals, from 1991 to 1995. Since then, musicals have only won in 1996, 1997 and 2012.
I've never seen the explanation as to why the Supporting Role in a Musical award isn't split between men and women. The supporting categories for plays have been combined into 1 many times though (1976, 1985-1990, 1996, 1998-1999, 2003, 2005-2009 and 2012). Again, there's never any explanation as to why they decide to combine them when they do.
Outstanding Achievement in Music is a new category this year. Previously, authors of musicals shared in the Best New Musical award. I don't really understand the nomination for the orchestra of Merrily We Roll Along. If they win, do they each get an Olivier? What if a voter saw the show when half of the orchestra was substitute players? Also, the Book of Mormon authors seem to be recognized for their book as well as the music and lyrics even though the same is not true for the book writers of Once and The Scottsboro Boys - I guess because they didn't contribute to the music as well? Will they still get the Best Musical award but the composers and lyricists won't? It'll be a surprise, I guess.
I think my favorite odd Olivier anecdote is that the Best Actor in a Musical Award for 1999 went to "The Entire Cast" (yes, no names, just "The Entire Cast") of Kat and the Kings. Which consisted of 5 men ... and 1 woman.
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