James Corden comedy wins Critics' Circle prize

Corden is best known for his role as Smithy in BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey

West End hit One Man, Two Guvnors, starring James Corden, has won best new play at the Critics' Circle awards.

It marks the second Critics' Circle win for playwright Richard Bean, who also picked up best new play for Harvest in 2006.

The National Theatre took five prizes out of a possible nine, including One Man, Two Guvnors and London Road, which won best musical.

Former best newcomer, Eddie Redmayne, won best Shakespearean performance.

The 30-year-old actor was honoured for his portrayal of Richard II at London's Donmar Warehouse.

His profile has been on the rise this year after starring in the film My Week With Marilyn opposite Michelle Williams and in the BBC television adaptation of Sebastian Faulks' Birdsong.

He is also nominated for Bafta's rising star award next month.

Former sitcom star Sheridan Smith won best actress for her role in Trevor Nunn's production of Terrence Rattigan's Flare Path at the Royal Haymarket in the West End.

Benedict Cumberbatch, otherwise known as Sherlock Holmes, was named best actor for Frankenstein at the National - he and Jonny Lee Miller alternated the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature during its run.

As a result, the duo shared the best actor prize at last year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Broadway transfer

Mark Tildesley won a second award for Frankenstein, picking up the best designer prize.

Mike Leigh was named best director for Grief, which follows a disintegrating relationship between a widowed mother and daughter, set in 1950s suburban London.

Most promising playwright was Tom Wells for his play Kitchen Sink at the Bush Theatre in west London.

Director Blanche McIntyre was named most promising newcomer (other than a playwright) for her revival of Emlyn Williams' 1950 drama Accolade and Dawn King's Foxfinder, which were both performed at the Finborough Theatre in Earl's Court, London.

Accolade was named Time Out's Best Fringe Show 2011.

One Man, Two Guvnors transferred to the West End after a successful run at the National and Corden is travelling with the play to Broadway in the spring.