Veteran actress and British institution Dame Judi Dench looked regal in a heavily embroidered gold and black gown as she posed alongside Sir Kenneth Branagh. The production also took the honors for lighting design (Mark Henderson) and actress in a supporting role (Lara Pulver).
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He then joined best actor in a musical nominees Matt Henry and Killian Donnelly and the cast of Kinky Boots as they kicked off a performance from the show.
Oscar-winner Mark Rylance is nominated for Farinelli And The King and leads a best actor field that includes Benedict Cumberbatch for Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh in The Winter’s Tale.
Hangman, a new play by London-Irish writer Martin McDonagh, won Best New Play and Set Design, while Harry Potter star Imelda Staunton, whose parents emigrated to London from Co Mayo, was named Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre.
“I know everybody says what a wonderful time they had doing something, I can truly say this time that in “The Winter’s Tale”, it was an absolutely memorable time for me”. “It’s a pat on your back and a hug from your peers and from the people who go to see the shows”. Robert Ickle was named Best Director for “Oresteia’ and Best Actor was Kenneth Cranham for “The Father'”.
She added: “I’m taking Noma Dumezweni and Marianne Jean-Baptiste with me”.
Nicole, who has been nominated for her performance in Photograph 51, spent two months on London’s West End playing the part of DNA researcher Rosalind Franklin in the acclaimed play, written by Anna Ziegler. And “Hamilton” multi-hyphenate Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2008 Tony-winning Best Musical “In the Heights” claimed Best Supporting Actor (David Bedella), Best Choreography and Best Achievement in Music.
Long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera won the Oliviers audience award – the only category voted for by members of the public.
Best New Comedy: Nell Gwynn at the Apollo Theatre.
Sondheim is the lyricist behind Gypsy, which was first performed in 1959.
Its four prizes included best actress in a musical for runaway favourite Imelda Staunton, and best musical revival.
The actress did indeed take home the Best Actress award for her performance as Mama Rose. “I love a good challenge and I’m really excited to do it”.
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Gypsy is up for awards in eight categories, leading the nominations.
