'Hamilton' was the big winner at this year's Laurence Olivier Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday night (08.04.18)
The hip-hop musical - which tells the story of US founding father Alexander Hamilton - won seven gongs from its 13 nominations, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music as it equalled 'Matilda's 2012 record for most awards won by a musical
10 April 2018
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
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