The Curious Incident sweeps the Oliviers as Mirren reigns

Dame Helen Mirren won Best Actress for her portrayal of the Queen in The Audience.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time swept the board at this year's Olivier Awards, but it was Dame Helen Mirren who was crowned Best Actress.

Dame Helen, who reprises her role as the Queen in The Audience, said her win was down to the popularity of the monarch who she said had put in the "most consistent and committed performance of the 20th Century and probably the 21st".

As she picked up the award, Dame Helen joked that "the Queen won a BAFTA this year and now she's got an Olivier, I think she's going to be thrilled".

Dame Helen was not the only success story of the night - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time picked up seven Olivier Awards, equalling the success of Matilda The Musical last year.

The National Theatre hit's leading man, Luke Treadaway, won Best Actor, while it was named Best New Play.

Accepting his award from Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall, Treadaway said it was "amazing" to win, adding, "I love doing it so much anyway, my mind has been blown, I'm so happy".

Simon Stephens, who adapted Mark Haddon's novel, praised the "downright sodding genius" of director Marianne Elliott as he picked up the Olivier for Best New Play.

Elliott, who was named Best Director, said she was "in a dreamland". Paying tribute to the National Theatre, she said, "Like War Horse, which I did as well, we could not have done it anywhere but a properly subsidised theatre, because it was a risk".

Meanwhile Treadaway's co-star Nicola Walker, who was named Best Supporting Actress, said she could not put her finger on what made the play so special but that it was "something very magical".

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton picked up Olivier Awards for Sweeney Todd. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Sweeney Todd was named Best Musical Revival, with its stars Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton named Best Actor and Actress In A Musical respectively.

Best Actor In A Supporting Role went to Richard McCabe for his portrayal of former prime minister Harold Wilson in The Audience.

Awards for lighting, sound and set design also went to The Curious Incident with the Costume Design award going to Top Hat.