Kinky Boots won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Advertisement
Imelda Staunton, who went on to win the award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Mama Rose in the Chichester Festival Theatre’s West End transfer of Gypsy, opened the ceremony with “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”.
The veteran actress and author, Dame Judith Olivia Dench, popular as Judi Dench, has won a record eighth Olivier for her best supporting actress role as Paulina in Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s production of The Winter’s Tale.
Actor Jim Carter poses for photographers upon arrival at the Olivier Awards in London, Sunday, April 3, 2016.
Denise Gough has criticised the lack of racial diversity at this year’s Olivier Awards, calling on the industry to wake up to its responsibility as she accepted the prize for best actress.
“I love this industry so much and to be given an award is fantastic but we have a responsibility”, she said backstage.
Nominated for Best Actress In A Play for her role in Nell Gywnn, Gemma Arterton dazzled in a show-stopping glittering purple gown. Lauper composed the music and lyrics of Kinky Boots, which is based on the 2005 movie with the same name starring Joel Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofor and has seven nominations, while Lauper, herself, is nominated with Stephen Oremus for Kinky Boots in Outstanding Achievement in Music.
Ms Gough used her best actress win for People, Places And Things to register her concern that all actresses nominated in her category are white.
Gypsy scooped its first award of the evening for best lighting design, which was awarded to Mark Henderson and was presented by Harry Potter And The Cursed Child actress Noma Dumezweni and The History Boys star Stephen Campbell Moore.
Two transfers of Tony-winning musicals claimed three apiece: Three years after sweeping the Tonys, “Kinky Boots” won Best Musical, Best Actor (Matt Henry) and Best Costume Design.
It was a very strong showing for the Irish at the prestigious Olivier Awards in London last night.
The red carpet event, which begins from 4:45 PM ahead of the 6:30 PM ceremony, will see such nominees as Gemma Arterton, Kenneth Branagh, Kenneth Cranham, Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Mark Gatiss, Denise Gough, Preeya Kalidas, Nicole Kidman, Adrian Lester, Lara Pulver, Mark Rylance, Imelda Staunton, Tom Sturridge and David Suchet expected to attend.
Lin Manuel was recognised for In The Heights, alongside Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman, who orchestrated and arranged the show.
In a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards, Joe Stilgoe and Michael Feinstein will be joined by Michael Ball, Sharon D Clarke, Daniel Evans and Leigh Zimmerman to also perform an exclusive tribute.
This month also marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and the ceremony celebrated the Bard with a musical performance of his Sonnet 18 “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day” by singer Jack Savoretti.
Advertisement
Best entertainment and family award: Showstopper!
