Live coverage of the 2004 Olivier Awards ceremony.
Our coverage has now finished – check back on Monday morning for more reports.
10.10pm
We spoke too soon – a few words from Best New Musical creators Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas: "All the other categories we were up for tonight were subjective," said Lee, "but I do genuinely think that this was the Best New Musical and I'd have been furious if we hadn't been given the prize for it." The judges clearly agreed, although they might disagree with Richard Thomas' plans: "I will happily wear my award as a hat in the future." A warning, Richard, that award is incredibly heavy.
9.56pm
And that's it. Bar the drinking, dancing and celebrating, it's all over for another year. Many thanks for dropping by to find out the results and special thanks to all those who emailed in – apologies if we couldn't reply to everyone. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees! Check back here tomorrow for more coverage and photos from the event…
9.52pm
BEST NEW MUSICAL
JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA music by Richard Thomas, book and lyrics by Stewart Lee & Richard Thomas at the Lyttelton and Cambridge
Jerry Springer – The Opera was one of the theatrical sensations of 2003 when it opened at the National Lyttelton. Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee’s groundbreaking show mixed high opera, blues and big band music with outrageous storylines. It transferred last autumn to the Cambridge Theatre, where audiences have relished the prospect of rednecks swearing to operatic music. “To be fair I've toured with Richard [Thomas, composer] doing comedy," Stewart Lee told us last year, "and he's the most foul-mouthed person I've ever met. His casual level of swearing is just astonishing.”
9.51pm
A few words from Best Director award winner Michael Grandage: “I feel very excited indeed. It’s been a wonderful first year at the Donmar and this is a particularly gorgeous moment to cap it.”
9.50pm
A highly magnanimous message from Paul Taylor Dance Company, who were nominated this year…
"The Taylor company congratulates all those involved in Broken Fall. As we did not win, we look forward to returning to the UK for another tour so that we might try our hand at winning an Olivier Award again."
Many congratulations to all this evening's nominees… the final award, for Best New Musical is coming up.
9.47pm
BEST NEW PLAY
THE PILLOWMAN by Martin McDonagh at the Cottesloe
The Pillowman is the second of Martin McDonagh’s plays to be presented at the National and follows the playwright’s win last year of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy for The Lieutenant Of Inishmore (RSC at the Pit and the Garrick). The Pillowman tells the story of a storyteller and how his dark fables get him into trouble with the police who accuse him of a series of grisly murders. The Pillowman is currently at the National Cottesloe, in a production starring Jim Broadbent, David Tennant, Adam Godley and Nigel Lindsay, until 17 April.
9.45pm
BEST DIRECTOR
Michael Grandage for CALIGULA at the Donmar Warehouse Michael Grandage took over from Sam Mendes last year as artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse. He now manages two roles – he is also associate director at the Sheffield Crucible where notable productions have included Joseph Fiennes as Edward II and Kenneth Branagh as Richard II. His debut year at the Donmar also included a critically acclaimed production of Noel Coward’s The Vortex and Patrick Marber’s updating of Strindberg, After Miss Julie. Michael Grandage is currently rehearsing a production of Suddenly Last Summer (to star Diana Rigg and Victoria Hamilton) for Sheffield Theatres, followed by a UK tour.
The awards are coming thick and fast now…
9.42pm
BEST ACTRESS
Eileen Atkins for HONOUR at the Cottesloe
Eileen Atkins has starred on stage with Laurence Olivier and Alec Guinness and has also achieved success as a writer, penning the screenplay of Mrs Dalloway with Vanessa Redgrave. She previously won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in 1999 for The Unexpected Man (RSC at the Pit and the Duchess), Best Performance In A Supporting Role in 1988 for Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale and Mountain Language (National Theatre). Her other West End appearances include Edward Albee’s A Delicate Balance (with Maggie Smith) and her films include Gosford Park, The Hours and Cold Mountain.
9.40pm
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Warren Mitchell for THE PRICE at the Apollo
Warren Mitchell is best known for his role as Alf Garnett in Til Death Do Us Part, (“I’ve been playing him on and off for the last 25 years”). His acting career began when he met Richard Burton in the RAF during World War II and in recent years he has had a string of critically acclaimed performances – in The Caretaker and Death Of A Salesman at the National Theatre and in Art at the Wyndham’s.
9.35pm
A round-up of your emails: support and praise for nominees Fascinating Aida, Alison Jiear, Bob Crowley and much excitement about Mourning Becomes Electra, especially for Paul Hilton and Helen Mirren.
9.31pm
BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION
Broken Fall, a George Piper Dances commission in association with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, has won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. The production was choreographed by Russell Maliphant and featured Sylvie Guillem and the Ballet Boyz (Michael Nunn and William Trevitt).
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks for their performances in English National Ballet’s 2 HUMAN at Sadler’s Wells
The dancers Thomas Edur and Agnes Oaks picked up the award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for their performances in English National Ballet’s 2 Human at Sadler’s Wells. Choreographed by Wayne McGregor, the duet is performed to Bach’s Partita No 2 for violin. The classical dancers, who joined the English National Ballet in 1990, are recast as punk icons experiencing the rocky road of love. The two dancers first met as schoolchildren in Estonia and later married, and have played many romantic leads together, such as Romeo and Juliet and the Prince and Princess in Sleeping Beauty.
9.30pm
David Bedella is thrilled by his award: "This means the world to me. I came over from America not knowing if I'd ever work in this country and to come this far is amazing."
Lee Evans, who with Liz Smith, presented the awards for Best Actor and Actress in A Musical has provided one of the highlights of the evening so far with an impromptu stand-up routine involving handing his telephone number to young women, while pretending to need to go to the toilet while presenting the awards…
9.25pm
We've had an email from a reader eager to find out when the dance awards will be announced – don't worry, they're up next… And, to help you keep track after the dance awards, the order is as follows:
Best Performance In A Supporting Role
Best Actress
Best Director
Best New Play
Best New Musical
9.13pm
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
David Bedella for JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA at the Lyttelton and Cambridge
David also played Satan in the production of Jerry Springer – The Opera seen at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002. He has extensive US theatre credits, including playing Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show opposite Meatloaf, and also appeared in Sweet Charity at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield.
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Maria Friedman for RAGTIME at the Piccadilly
Set at the beginning of the twentieth century, Ragtime tells the story of three very different families as they become intertwined and unfold across the colourful era. Friedman is a renowned and versatile musical performer, having previously appeared in Passion, Lady In The Dark, Sunday In The Park With George, The Witches Of Eastwick and Chicago. Ragtime was nominated for eight Olivier Awards in all.
9.09pm
More emails, this time one from Aidan Kilety, passing on good wishes for Matthew Kelly:
"Matthew is the President of the Urmston Musical Theatre and we are proud to be associated with him and friends of his. The news of his award is magnificent and could not have gone to a more deserving individual. It has been nailbiting 'watching' through the medium of the internet. We are proud of you Matthew and long may you reign."
Next categories up are Best Actor and Best Actress In A Musical…
9.07pm
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN AN AFFILIATE THEATRE
The Young Vic for an audacious season under the artistic direction of David Lan
The Young Vic had an extraordinarily successful 2003, with a bold series of productions including Red Demon, Simply Heavenly, Peribanez, an updated version of Hobson’s Choice, Peter Brook’s Le Costume, a spectacular Icelandic production of Romeo And Juliet and Trevor Nunn directing David Almond’s Skellig.
9.02pm
Part two has begun…
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER IN AN AFFILIATE THEATRE
Debbie Tucker Green for BORN BAD at Hampstead Theatre
Debbie Tucker Green’s second play, Born Bad, was described by the Independent as an “unflinching account of abuse”. Jenny Topper, the former artistic director of the Hampstead described her as having “the three essential elements of a new voice: she is concerned with ideas, she is concerned with form, and she has the courage to stay true to her intuition and let her own linguistic invention come through.” It follows her debut, Dirty Butterfly, which was seen at the Soho Theatre one year ago.
8.45pm
So, while we wait, to your emails, and many of you are keen to make predictions:
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed (though it's hard to type with them like that!) that Alison Jiear will win best actress in a musical," reckons Carla. "It'll be between her and Maria Freidman I think!"
Phil Tong reckons "Kristin Scott Thomas was great in 'Three Sisters' but was she as good as Kelly Reilly in 'After Miss Julie'? I know where my money is!".
We also have a message purporting to be from Arthur Scargill, reporting his joy not only that Dame Judi received the Society's Special Award, but that he's "Glad to see Maggie won nothing again this year!" Really, people, come on – fake Hotmail addresses don't fool us.
8.40pm
We're running late, I'm afraid, but the meal has reached the coffee stage, so hopefully we'll have some more news soon…
8.25pm
Matthew Kelly is understandably delighted about his Best Actor win: "I hope it draws a line under the year: we all shared the journey and the experience together and this is the best possible outcome for me and all the people who shared it with me. But I hope I got this because I'm a fabulous actor!"
8.10pm
Meanwhile, Judi Dench has been overwhelmed by her special award: "It feels completely fantastic. When Kevin Spacey came on and sang I've Got A Crush On You, I'm glad you didn't have a photograph of me." Also, Dame Judi hinted that she may appear on stage with Kevin Spacey at the Old Vic, although not, she says, as his mother.
8.00pm
The ceremony is due to restart at 8.30pm. Guests meanwhile are enjoying a specially prepared theatrical meal, including Cornfed Chicken with Mediterranean Farce (excuse the dreadful pun) and a dessert entitled "A Palette Of Colours". Any readers with culinary knowledge who can predict what this might be are welcome to email us.
7.45pm
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PRODUCTION
PACIFIC OVERTURES music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, additional material by Hugh Wheeler at the Donmar Warehouse
Pacific Overtures continues the long line of successful Sondheim productions at the Donmar Warehouse, which have included Company, Into The Woods and Merrily We Roll Along, as well as Assassins, which was the production with which Sam Mendes opened the theatre. Written with John Weidman, Sondheim’s musical follows the first arrival of Americans in Japan and the difficult process of building diplomatic relations between the two countries. Gary Griffin’s production was originally seen at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
7.35pm
It's now time for a dinner interval, so we're going to fill you in on a little colour. Entertainment is being provided tonight by The Rat Pack (that's the show currently at The Strand) and in keeping with the theme, Kevin Spacey has been singing in the manner of Frank Sinatra as part of his fine tribute to Dame Judi Dench.
And to keep you up with partisanship, Lucy Prebble's mum is keen to see her win an award for her excellent debut play The Sugar Syndrome while Kristin Scott Thomas' fanclub want us to wish her good luck.
The second half of the ceremony begins at 8.30pm, but we'll be back from 8pm with winner's responses to the awards presented so far…
7.28pm
Kevin Spacey has presented THE SOCIETY'S SPECIAL AWARD to Judi Dench for her outstanding contribution to British theatre.
Dame Judi Dench hardly needs any introduction from us, but, in case you've been on the moon recently, her recent stage appearances have included The Breath Of Life (Haymarket) and All's Well That Ends Well (RSC at the Gielgud), not to mention a string of remarkable performances at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company in plays old and new.
7.27pm
BEST SOUND DESIGN
JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA designed by Mike Walker at the Lyttelton and Cambridge
Mike Walker’s sound design for Jerry Springer ensured that the audience was able to capture every word of the show’s large cast. “There are no real introductions to sections,” he explained, “so you have to know absolutely what is about to be sung or played, especially the incidental lines spoken by Jerry. It provides many additional words to the sung vocabulary of the West End stage, and it is important that we deliver them clearly to the audience!"
7.25pm
BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER
Karen Bruce for PACIFIC OVERTURES at the Donmar Warehouse
Karen Bruce has worked as an assistant on Grease (Dominion Theatre) and as choreographer on Sheffield Crucible’s critically acclaimed productions of A Chorus Line and Sweet Charity. Her choreography for Pacific Overtures was made especially unusual by the demands of the Donmar’s small stage, Sondheim’s score which mixes Eastern and Western influences and the production’s style, which drew on traditional Japanese theatre.
Meanwhile, the entire chorus of Jerry Springer – The Opera has responded to their award with a massive "woo-hoo".
7.23pm
BEST ACTOR
Matthew Kelly for OF MICE AND MEN at the Savoy
Matthew Kelly has won the Olivier Award for Best Actor. The popular TV presenter has bounced back from numerous controversies to pick up the award for his first West End role as Lennie in Of Mice And Men which is currently showing at the Old Vic after a successful run at The Savoy. Kelly is best known for jovially fronting television programmes such as You Bet! and Stars In Their Eyes but also has a string of critically acclaimed stage performances behind him.
7.21pm
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
The Chorus of Jerry Springer The Opera (all 22 of them) have won the Olivier Award for Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical. The Chorus play rednecks in the audience of the Jerry Springer show. The winners are: Delroy Atkinson, Robert Bengtsson, Steve Bradford, Gary Bryden, Natasha Cox, Hadrian Delacey, Nathan Dowling, Jonathan Glew, Rachel Johnson, Tania Mathurin, Ryan Molloy, Jo Napthine, Alastair Parker, Jenessa Qua, Brian Saccente, Gabriella Santinelli, Gayle Telfer Stevens, Lucy Vandi, Elen Mon Wayne, Annabelle Williams and Lynne Wilmot. Phew!
7.20pm
BEST ENTERTAINMENT
Duckie’s C’EST BARBICAN! devised and written by Mark Whitelaw, Ursula Martinez, Christopher Green, Marisa Carnesky, Francesca Baglione and Simon Vincenzi, scored by Ian Hill at The Pit
Duckie have become one of only a handful of cabaret acts to win a Laurence Olivier Award, winning the Best Entertainment Award for C’est Barbican at (rather unsurprisingly) the Barbican in late 2003. The kitsch spectacular introduced the novel concept of audiences picking and choosing their individual acts (which range from vaudeville to ventriloquism via voyeurism) and having the performers trot out to each individual table.
Please keep your emails coming in and apologies if we can't respond to everyone – we've been overwhelmed so far at the response, but plenty of partisan rooting for your favourites has been evident.
7.15pm
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
POWER designed by Christopher Oram at the Cottesloe
Christopher Oram trained at the Wimbledon School of Art and has subsequently worked many times with Donmar Warehouse artistic director Michael Grandage, both in Sheffield (Richard III, Edward II, As You Like It, What The Butler Saw) and at the Donmar (Privates On Parade, Merrily We Roll Along, Passion Play and Good). Nick Dear’s new play Power, at the National Cottesloe, charted the rise and fall of Nicolas Fouquet, chief financier to Louis XIV and Oram’s costumes matched the style and flamboyance of the era.
7.12pm
BEST REVIVAL
MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA by Eugene O’Neill at the Lyttelton
Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra has won the award for Best Revival. The play, which runs for a blockbusting 4 hours 15 minutes, has an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Paul McGann and Eve Best. First published in 1931, the play explores the destructive forces of jealousy and desire. A victorious war-hero returns home after the American civil war to his adulterous wife, who poisons him and takes a younger lover; their daughter, Lavinia, decides to avenge her father’s death.
Meanwhile, an email correspondent from Chile is jubilant that Cristina Gallardo-Domas has won Oustanding Achievement In Opera. Kudos to Chile.
7.07
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA
Cristina Gallardo-Domas for The Royal Opera’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY at the Royal Opera House
Chiliean soprano Cristina Gallardo-Domas has won the 2004 Olivier Award for Oustanding Achievement In Opera, for her performance in The Royal Opera’s production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Directed by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier and conducted by Antonio Pappano, this was the first production in ten years of Puccini’s classic at the Royal Opera House.
Many thanks for all your emails – especially from the mums of Graham Bickley and Mara Blumenfeld – fingers crossed for them!
7.05
BEST NEW OPERA PRODUCTION
English National Opera’s THE TROJANS (Parts I and II) at the London Coliseum
As the revamped Coliseum approaches its official reopening, The English National Opera has received a further boost by winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Opera Production for its production of The Trojans, Berlioz’s two part chronicle of the fall of Troy. The operas were directed by Richard Jones and choreographed by Philippe Giraudeau. The performances were scheduled to coincide with the bi-centenary of Berlioz’s birth.
7.02pm
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
PACIFIC OVERTURES designed by Hugh Vanstone at the Donmar Warehouse
Hugh Vanstone has worked as a lighting designer for plays, musicals and opera for the past ten years. He has worked on a wide range of productions including Tell Me On A Sunday (Gielgud), The Breath Of Life (Haymarket), The Lady From The Sea (Almeida), The Blue Room and the Front Page (both Donmar Warehouse). He won the Olivier Award in 2001 for his work on The Cherry Orchard (National Cottesloe and Olivier) and The Graduate (Gielgud) and in 199 for The Unexpected Man (RSC at the Duchess) and The Blue Room (Donmar Warehouse).
7.00pm
BEST SET DESIGN goes to William Dudley
William Dudley’s design for Hitchcock Blonde incorporated videos, an on-stage swimming pool and (appropriately enough for the subject) a shower. His previous productions include designs for The Coast Of Utopia, Honour and Blue/Orange (all at the National Theatre) and this is his seventh Olivier Award, which makes him the most lauded theatrical designer of recent times: he also won Best Designer last year – for The Coast Of Utopia.
6.45pm
No awards yet, but the introductions are now underway, you'll be pleased to hear…
Meanwhile, a reader has emailed us to ask how you can join in the virtual celebrations. We recommend donning full evening wear and sipping vintage champagne. You'll just have to trust us that that's what we're doing as we type this.
6.30pm
Tonight's ceremony, hosted by Clive Anderson at the Hilton On Park Lane is about to begin.
