'Hamilton' was the big winner at this year's Laurence Olivier Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday night (08.04.18)

Giles Terera won the Best Actor in a Musical award for his role as Hamilton's nemesis Aaron Burr.

And he compared the popular production to the likes of 'West Side Story' and 'Les Miserables'.

Giles said: "Every now and then there's a show that comes along and it shifts things, moves it outside the realm of musical theatre."

Jamael Westman, who stars as Alexander Hamilton, explained that the production - which opened in London in 2017 - had succeeded in "breaking down barriers".

He continued: "This is re-imagining what it can be, using the hip-hop form and more contemporary types of song and the use of language that is almost Shakespearean.

"It's changing the way that we see theatre and is breaking boundaries.

That's why it's been recognised."

Another of the big winners on the night was the 'The Ferryman', a drama set in the 1980s during The Troubles in Ireland, which won Best New Play and Best Director for Sam Mendes, as well as Best Actress for Laura Donnelly.

After collecting her award, Laura said: "I'm thrilled - but I'm in shock. It's what I dreamt of from childhood so to get to this point is surreal."

Elsewhere, Hollywood star Bryan Cranston won the Best Actor prize for his role in 'Network'.

And Bryan, 62, used his acceptance speech to praise the way in which the arts are funded in the UK, saying: "Hopefully that will continue."

He later added: "To support children's imagination and their ability to grow in a social, emotional way, [the arts are] more important than learning the dates of a war."

2018 Laurence Olivier Awards winners:

Best actor in a supporting role in a musical:

Michael Jibson, Hamilton

Best actress in a supporting role in a musical:

Sheila Atim, Girl from the North Country

Outstanding achievement in music:

Hamilton

Best new dance production:

Flight Pattern

Outstanding achievement in dance:

Francesca Velicu, Le Sacre du Printemps

Best entertainment and family:

Dick Whittington

Best theatre choreographer:

Andy Blankenbuehler, Hamilton

Best musical revival:

Follies

Best actor in a musical:

Giles Terera, Hamilton

Best actress in a musical:

Shirley Henderson, Girl from the North Country

Best revival:

Angels in America

Best new comedy:

Labour of Love

Outstanding achievement in affiliate theatre:

Killology

Best lighting design:

Howell Binkley, Hamilton

Best sound design:

Nevin Steinberg, Hamilton

Best costume design:

Vicki Mortimer, Follies

Best set design:

Bob Crowley, An American in Paris

Best actor in a supporting role:

Bertie Carvel, Ink

Best actress in a supporting role:

Denise Gough for Angels in America

Best new opera production:

Semiramide

Outstanding achievement in opera:

Joyce DiDonato and Daniela Barcellona, Semiramide

Best actor:

Bryan Cranston, Network

Best actress:

Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman

Best director:

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman

Best new play:

The Ferryman

Best new musical:

Hamilton