Stars turn out to celebrate Theatreland's finest at Olivier Awards

Myleene Klass Credit: PA

Hosted by Gemma Arterton and Stephen Mangan, the annual awards ceremony opened with an act from the stage musical of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Rory Kinnear beat Hollywood heavyweights Hiddleston and Jude Law to the best actor award for his performance as Iago in Othello at the National Theatre.

Accepting his award, he said the part was one of the "most thrilling" of his life.

Dame Judi Dench lost out on the Best Actress award to Lesley Manville Credit: PA

He said: "All of us nominated in that category would agree it's a lot easier to be recognised when you've got a decent part to play."

Luther actress Ruth Wilson wore a sheer black dress for the event Credit: PA

Lesley Manville was named best actress ahead of stars including Dame Judi and Hayley Atwell.

Accepting her award - a bust of Sir Laurence Olivier - she joked: "Oh Larry, where have you been all my life?"

Hayley Atwell was nominated for Best Actress for The Pride Credit: PA

The award for best director went to Lyndsey Turner for Chimerica.

Turner, who said she was "completely and utterly overwhelmed", joked that her mother was shocked because "she hasn't seen me in a dress since I first took communion".

Alexandra Burke smiles on the red carpet at the Olivier Awards Credit: PA

The award for best entertainment and family show went to The Wind in the Willows, while Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense was named best new comedy.

Veteran actress Barbara Windsor turned out to celebrate Theatreland's luvvies Credit: PA

The award for best entertainment and family show went to The Wind in the Willows, while Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense was named best new comedy.

Former X-Factor star Diana Vickers on the red acrpet at the Olivier Awards Credit: PA

The BBC Radio 2 Audience Award went to the long-running musical Les Miserables.

Gemma Arterton co-hosted the event Credit: PA

Handbagged, a show that examines the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher, won the award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, which recognises work outside the venues of the West End.

James McAvoy attended the awards ceremony Credit: PA

Kate Moss presented a special award to impresario Michael White, whose West End credits include A Chorus Line and Annie.

Model Kate Moss joined the event to pay tribute to the stars of British theatre Credit: PA

The award for best new dance production went to Eastman-Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Sadler's Wells for Puz/zle.

Lesley Manville wins the Olivier Award for Best Actress, presented by Luke Treadaway. Credit: PA

Outstanding achievement in dance went to Michael Hulls for his work which includes Ballet Boyz -The Talent at Sadler's Wells.

Rory Kinnear wins the Olivier Award for Best Actor, presented by Kathleen Turner Credit: PA
Sex and the City star Kristin Davis attended the Olivier Awards Credit: PA