Judi Dench makes Olivier history

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Johan Persson

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Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh starred in The Winter’s Tale

Dame Judi Dench was the toast of the Olivier Awards on Sunday night.

The veteran actress 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.

No-one has won as many Oliviers for acting since the awards began 40 years ago.

The musical Gypsy won the most awards on the night for a single production.

Its four prizes included best actress in a musical for runaway favourite Imelda Staunton, and best musical revival.

The show, which transferred to the West End from the Chichester Festival Theatre, also won for best lighting design while Lara Pulver was named best supporting actress in a musical.

Hosted by Michael Ball, the ceremony took place at London’s Royal Opera House and included a performance by singer Cyndi Lauper, whose Kinky Boots was named best new musical.

Denise Gough won best actress for her acclaimed performance as a recovering addict in People, Places and Things, recently opened in the West End after a sell-out run at the National Theatre last year.

Gough had been hotly tipped to win in a shortlist that included Gemma Arterton and Nicole Kidman.

People, Places and Things was one of four wins for the National. Duncan Macmillan’s drama also won for best sound, while Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was named best revival and Mark Gatiss won best supporting actor for Three Days in the Country.

The best actor prize went to Kenneth Cranham in Florian Zeller’s The Father.

Cranham, who plays a man with dementia, beat competition from Kenneth Branagh, Benedict Cumberbatch, Adrian Lester and Mark Rylance.

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Johan Persson/PA

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Imelda Staunton won rave reviews for Gypsy

Musical Kinky Boots won two other prizes, with Matt Henry collecting best actor in a musical for his portrayal of Lola and Gregg Barnes awarded for his costume design.

Musical In the Heights also had three wins – for outstanding achievement in music, choreography and a best supporting actor in a musical trophy for David Bedella.

The Royal Court’s production of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen was named best new play and also won for Anna Fleischle’s set design.

Nell Gwynn, starring Gemma Arterton and written by Jessica Swale, was named best new comedy.

The prize for outstanding achievement in opera went to the English National Opera chorus and orchestra for The Force of Destiny, Lady Macbeth Of Mtsensk and The Queen Of Spades, which were all performed at London Coliseum.

The ENO has faced months of turmoil which includes the resignation of its musical director Mark Wigglesworth and the threat of strike action by its chorus over new contracts.

Long-running musical The Phantom of the Opera won the Oliviers audience award – the only category voted for by members of the public.

Imelda Staunton opened the 40th anniversary ceremony with a performance of Everything’s Coming Up Roses from Gypsy.

For the finale, 15 past Olivier winners – including Maria Friedman, Ruthie Henshall and Jill Halfpenny – performed What I Did For Love from A Chorus Line, winner of best new musical at the first awards in 1976.

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