Porgy and Bess, Company and Katya Kabanova win at Olivier Awards 2019

8 April 2019, 12:43

Porgy and Bess, Katya Kabanova and Company win at Olivier Awards 2019. Picture: Getty

By Maddy Shaw Roberts

A special award was also presented to British choreographer Matthew Bourne for his ‘extraordinary achievements in dance’.

This year’s Laurence Olivier Awards took place on Sunday 7 April, to celebrate the best theatre performances across London.

The ceremony, presented last night by Jason Manford at the Royal Albert Hall, honoured three different productions with four awards each: Company, Come From Away and The Inheritance.

A gender-swapping version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Company took home four Oliviers, including best supporting actress in a musical for Broadway legend Patti LuPone.

“I’m deeply moved, thank you for accepting me into your community,” LuPone said as she accepted the award. “I love London, I love the theatre community here.”

Sondheim's Company took home four Oliviers. Picture: Getty

The Inheritance won four Oliviers including Best New Play, while Come From Away was awarded Best New Musical.

Katya Kabanova by Janáček won Best New Opera, following an acclaimed new production which opened at the Royal Opera House in February.

The ensemble of Porgy and Bess was awarded Outstanding Achievement in Opera, for their production at London Coliseum. The prize was presented by Australian soprano Danielle DeNiese.

Kyle Soller, who plays Eric Glass in The Inheritance took home the prize for Best Actor, after being nominated in the same category as Sir Ian McKellen and David Suchet.

The Best Actress award went to Patsy Ferran, who played Alma Winemiller in Summer and Smoke and beat Gillian Anderson and Eileen Atkins to the prize.

The Duchess of Cornwall congratulates Olivier winners. Picture: Getty

The prestigious theatre awards also honoured Sir Matthew Bourne, who is known for his unique interpretations of Swan Lake and Cinderella.

Bourne is widely recognised across the industry as the most successful choreographer and director. Across his thirty-year career in theatre, he has won eight Olivier Awards and is the only British director to have received a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical as well as Best Choreography.

See the full list of winners below:

Best new play
The Inheritance

Best new comedy
Home, I’m Darling

Best new dance production
BLKDOG

Outstanding achievement in dance
Akram Khan in Xenos

Best director
Stephen Daldry

Best actor in a supporting role
Chris Walley for The Lieutenant of Inishmore

Best actress in a supporting role
Monica Dolan for All About Eve

Best entertainment and family
A Monster Calls

Best set design
Bunny Christie for Company

Best lighting
Jon Clark for The Inheritance

Best revival
Summer and Smoke