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Alex Sharp and Helen Mirren head roll-call of British Tony awards success Alex Sharp and Helen Mirren head rollcall of British Tony awards success
(35 minutes later)
British talent came away well-rewarded at the biggest night in American theatre, the Tony awards, with everyone from blue-chip stars to lighting designers winning recognition.British talent came away well-rewarded at the biggest night in American theatre, the Tony awards, with everyone from blue-chip stars to lighting designers winning recognition.
Related: Tony awards 2015: winners list in fullRelated: Tony awards 2015: winners list in full
The previously unknown Alex Sharp won for his breakthrough performance in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the play adapted from Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel about a teenager on the autism spectrum trying to solve the mystery of how his neighbour’s dog died. He beat the likes of Bradley Cooper and Bill Nighy, despite it being his first major role.The previously unknown Alex Sharp won for his breakthrough performance in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the play adapted from Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel about a teenager on the autism spectrum trying to solve the mystery of how his neighbour’s dog died. He beat the likes of Bradley Cooper and Bill Nighy, despite it being his first major role.
“Oh my God, this is so crazy,” he said on accepting the award. “Oh jeez. This time last year I picked up my diploma, graduating from Juilliard [drama school], so to be holding this is insane.”“Oh my God, this is so crazy,” he said on accepting the award. “Oh jeez. This time last year I picked up my diploma, graduating from Juilliard [drama school], so to be holding this is insane.”
He was renovating houses when he applied for the prestigious New York school, and got in after performing a scene he wrote himself – despite saying it was by a minor British playwright. He dedicated his award to “any young person out there who feels misunderstood”.He was renovating houses when he applied for the prestigious New York school, and got in after performing a scene he wrote himself – despite saying it was by a minor British playwright. He dedicated his award to “any young person out there who feels misunderstood”.
Others in Curious Incident’s British creative team were also successful, making the production the most successful of the night, tying with musical Fun Home on five awards each. Director Marianne Elliott, set designers Bunny Christie and Finn Ross, and lighting designer Paule Constable were all rewarded for their work. They add to their success with the original West End run, where the production won seven Olivier awards; the London staging has just been extended until February 2016. Others in Curious Incident’s British creative team were also successful, making the production the most successful of the night, tying with the musical Fun Home on five awards each. Director Marianne Elliott, set designers Bunny Christie and Finn Ross, and lighting designer Paule Constable were all rewarded for their work. They add to their success with the original West End run, where the production won seven Olivier awards; the London staging has just been extended until February 2016.
At the other end of the fame spectrum to Sharp, Helen Mirren won her first ever Tony award for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Audience, Peter Morgan’s play about the queen’s private meetings with prime ministers throughout her reign. She described the award as “an unbelievable honour” – it will sit on her mantlepiece alongside her Oscar, also won for playing Elizabeth II, in Stephen Frears’ film The Queen.At the other end of the fame spectrum to Sharp, Helen Mirren won her first ever Tony award for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Audience, Peter Morgan’s play about the queen’s private meetings with prime ministers throughout her reign. She described the award as “an unbelievable honour” – it will sit on her mantlepiece alongside her Oscar, also won for playing Elizabeth II, in Stephen Frears’ film The Queen.
Mirren joked that she should do an audiobook next – were she to win a Grammy for it, she would join the elite group of 12 Egots, artists who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her co-star in The Audience, Richard McCabe, also picked up a supporting actor award for his performance as Harold Wilson. Mirren joked that she should do an audiobook next – were she to win a Grammy for it, she would join the elite group of 12 “Egots” – artists who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. Her co-star in The Audience, Richard McCabe, also picked up a supporting actor award for his performance as Harold Wilson.
Skylight meanwhile became the first play by British playwright David Hare to win a Tony, picking up best revival, after work like Racing Demon (nominated in 1996) and Plenty (1982) had gone home empty-handed. Other big winners were the revived musicals An American in Paris and The King and I, which netted four gongs each. Skylight, meanwhile, became the first play by the British playwright David Hare to win a Tony, picking up the award for best revival, after work such as Racing Demon (nominated in 1996) and Plenty (1982) had gone home empty-handed. Other big winners were the revived musicals An American in Paris and The King and I, which netted four gongs each.