Another RSC Shakespearian production allowed Patrick Stewart, already a winner of two Oliviers, to complete a hat trick with his portrayal of Claudius in Hamlet at the Novello securing Best Performance in a Supporting Role.

The transfer of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES from the tiny 180 seat Menier Chocolate Factory to the Playhouse Theatre picked up two awards in a very competitive year for musicals. Douglas Hodge’s role as drag queen Albin won him the title of Best Actor in a Musical. The production also won the Best Musical Revival accolade.

The coveted award for Best New Musical went to JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and Lesli Margherita took Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical in ZORRO at the Garrick.

One of London’s most unusual productions, LA CLIQUE, took the Best Entertainment title. A melange of cabaret, new burlesque, circus sideshow, and contemporary variety, the show has assumed cult status at the newly refurbished London Hippodrome.

The Royal Court Theatre’s remarkable production of THE PRIDE by debut playwright Alexi Kaye Campbell at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs scooped the award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. Yasmina Reza’s play GOD OF CARNAGE, translated by Christopher Hampton and starring Ralph Fiennes and Tamsin Greig at the Gielgud, picked up Best New Comedy. Meanwhile, the London premiere of the critically acclaimed production of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at the Lyttelton won BEST SET DESIGN for Todd Rosenthal.

English National Opera took the Best New Opera Production award for their production of PARTENOPE at the Coliseum. The conductor Edward Gardner won OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA for his work with English National Opera’s BORIS GODUNOV, CAVALLIERA RUSTICANA, DER ROSENKAVALIER, I PAGLIACCI, RIDERS TO THE SEA at the Coliseum and PUNCH AND JUDY at the Young Vic.

Sadler’s Wells proved itself as the powerhouse of dance with two Olivier Awards. Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal’s CAFÉ MULLER/ THE RITE OF SPRING picked up Best New Dance Production, and the company of the Royal Ballet of Flanders, also at Sadler’s Wells, won Outstanding Achievement in Dance for their performances in IMPRESSING THE CZAR.

The Society’s Special Award, which recognises outstanding contribution to the theatre, was presented to Sir Alan Ayckbourn by Kevin Spacey and Liza Goddard. One of the most prolific and widely performed of English language playwrights, Ayckbourn’s award for his work is particularly fitting following the production of his theatrical tour de force THE NORMAN CONQUESTS at the Old Vic last year.

The individual awards were presented by Imelda Staunton, Ian Lavender, Andrea Corr, Sadie Frost, Dominic Cooper, Sheridan Smith, David Hare, Pete Postlethwaite, Jason Donovan, Tom Chambers, Gareth Gates, Anton du Beke, Kevin Spacey, Jodie Prenger, Sian Phillips, Gillian Anderson, Rosalind Plowright and David Morrissey.