On Sunday, American actor John Lithgow garnered the prestigious best actor award at the London stage's Olivier Awards for his portrayal of the shadowy facet of children's literature legend Roald Dahl in the play "Giant." The backwards-chronological biographical tale "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was hailed as the best new musical at the ceremony, which stands as Britain's counterpart to Broadway's Tony Awards.
With his latest accolade, Lithgow, the star of "Conclave," added the Olivier to his burgeoning collection of Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe awards. His depiction of Dahl, the creator of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," in Mark Rosenblatt's play that confronts Dahl's antisemitic perspectives, has earned him widespread acclaim. An emotional Lithgow, 79, exclaimed, "I think I'm going to faint." He reassured the British audience that the transatlantic "special relationship remains firmly intact," adding, "It's not always easy to welcome an American into your midst, and at this particular moment, it's probably a little more complicated than usual."
Lesley Manville, whose resume boasts a role as Princess Margaret in "The Crown," clinched the best actress award for her portrayal of the shocked royal spouse Jocasta in "Oedipus." Robert Icke's modern reimagining of the ancient Greek tragedy, which will soon open on Broadway, was awarded the best revival of a play.
Imelda Staunton, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the final two seasons of "The Crown," won her fifth Olivier award for best actress in a musical for her role in "Hello, Dolly!" Meanwhile, John Dagleish secured the best actor in a musical award for his portrayal of the titular character who ages backwards in "Benjamin Button," a musical based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald that also inspired a 2008 film starring Brad Pitt.
The Olivier Awards ceremony, held at London's Royal Albert Hall, was hosted by Broadway, TV, and runway star Billy Porter and British soul singer Beverley Knight. Among the stars in attendance were recent Academy Award winner Adrien Brody, who was nominated for best actor for his role in the death-row drama "The Fear of 13," and Cate Blanchett, who recently appeared on the London stage in "The Seagull."
"Giant" won three awards, including best new play, while "Benjamin Button" and a lively outdoor production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which was named best musical revival, also secured three prizes each. Maimuna Memon was honored as best supporting actress in a musical for her role in the Tolstoy-inspired "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812," while Layton Williams took home the equivalent supporting actor award for his role in the campy Celine Dion celebration "Titanique."
For plays, supporting performer prizes went to Elliot Levey for "Giant" and Romola Garai for "The Years." The Norwegian director Eline Arbo was named best director for her adaptation of Nobel Literature laureate Annie Ernaux's autobiographical book, "The Years." These prizes, which recognize outstanding achievements in theater, opera, and dance, were established in 1976 and are named in honor of the late actor-director Laurence Olivier. Winners are selected through a voting process involving stage professionals and theatergoers.
