In pictures: Olivier Awards 2013
- Published
Tim Minchin, who wrote the music for last year's record breaking Olivier Award winner, Matilda was among the guests at London's Royal Opera House for the biggest night in the theatre awards calendar. He presented the award for best new musical.
Helen Mirren, 67, who took best actress, has won stellar reviews for her role in The Audience, Peter Morgan's play about the private weekly meetings between Queen Elizabeth and the 12 British prime ministers during the six decades of her reign.
Best actor Luke Treadaway described his win as "the biggest honour ever". He plays 15-year-old Christopher Boone, a maths genius with Asperger's syndrome, who sets out to solve the mystery of who killed his neighbour's dog. He was presented with his prize by Sex and the City star, Kim Cattrall.
It was Curious Incident's night with the production picking up a total of seven Olivier awards, including best supporting actress for former Spooks actress Nicola Walker.
The director of Macbeth, Jamie Lloyd described his lead actor, James McAvoy as "the real deal". McAvoy, who began his career in theatre, lost out to Luke Treadaway in the best actor category.
Playwright and novelist Michael Frayn, whose work includes the classic farce Noises Off, was presented with this year's special award.
Among those on the red carpet at the Royal Opera House were Homeland star, Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory.