Andrew Scott and Maggie Smith amongst winners at Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019

The winners of the 2019 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, in association with Michael Kors, were revealed at a ceremony last tonight at the London Coliseum.

Andrew Scott and Maggie Smith. Photo: Dave Bennett for Evening Standard

The Evening Standard Theatre Awards was hosted by Evgeny Lebedev, with co-hosts Dame Anna Wintour, Damian Lewis, Helen McCrory and Cush Jumbo, who also presented the ceremony. The individual awards were presented by Olivia Colman, Helen McCrory, Naomi Scott, Lashana Lynch, Taron Egerton, Sonia Friedman, Michael Kors and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Stephen Mangan, Glenda Jackson, Sir Trevor Nunn, Ruth Wilson and Damian Lewis.

Guests were entertained with two numbers from musicals opening in London in the past week. Miriam-Teak Lee performed the Katy Perry hit Roar from & Juliet and Sam Tutty, a recent graduate of Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, sang Waving through the Window from Dear Evan Hansen. For the second year, a special tribute was made to the Behind-the-Scenes Heroes of theatre, this time dedicated to the Stage Door Keepers. Man in the White Suit star Stephen Mangan introduced the dedication and invited 60 Stage Door Keepers to join him on stage to take a bow.

Due to their strong commitment to the arts and this year sponsoring the awards’ focus on Future Talent, Burberry and Bottega Veneta allowed the Evening Standard Theatre Awards to invite more than 700 students from some of the UK’s leading drama schools to the evening.

Evening Standard’s Proprietor, Evgeny Lebedev says:

“I was delighted to celebrate such extraordinary theatrical talent tonight at the London Coliseum for the 65th iteration of this awards ceremony. Theatre in this city is in rude health and I look forward to seeing what the next generation of thespians can offer in the years to come."

Actor, co-host and presenter for this year’s awards, Cush Jumbo says:

“It was such an honour to present the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards this evening. The awards continue to recognize and celebrate London’s theatre talent, from directors to everyone who works so hard behind the scenes, including the fantastic dancers from The BRIT School who performed with me.” Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019 - The Winners Best Actor in association with Ambassador Theatre Group

Andrew Scott, Present Laughter, Old Vic Theatre

Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress in partnership with Christian Louboutin

Dame Maggie Smith, A German Life, Bridge Theatre

Best Play in partnership with Chanel

Sweat by Lynn Nottage, Donmar Warehouse and Gielgud Theatre

Milton Shulman Award for Best Director

Robert Icke, The Doctor and the Wild Duck, Almeida Theatre

Best Musical Evita, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Best Musical Performance Anne-Marie Duff, Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse Best Design in partnership with Michael Kors

Bunny Christie, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Bridge Theatre

Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright

Jasmine Lee-Jones, seven methods of killing kylie jenner, Royal Court

Emerging Talent Award in partnership with Access Entertainment Laurie Kynaston, The Son, Kiln and Duke Of York's Theatre Editor's Award Sir Ian McKellen for his On Stage tour Lebedev Award

Peter Brook for his contribution to theatre