Backstage at the Olivier awards 2013 – in pictures

Helen Mirren is interviewed backstage, after receiving the best actress award for her performance as the Queen in The Audience Photograph: David Levene

An army of Olivier awards, with envelopes containing the names of the winning nominees, await collection by presenters Photograph: David Levene

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe is dusted with powder before going on stage to present Helen Mirren with the best actress award. Radcliffe will star in a new West End production of Martin McDonagh's The Cripple of Inishmaan, directed by Michael Grandage, from June Photograph: David Levene

Hosts Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey) and Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde the Musical, Hedda Gabler) wait for their next cue Photograph: David Levene

Left to right, Lynda Bellingham, Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball. Staunton and Ball both won Oliviers for their leading performances in Sweeney Todd Photograph: David Levene

Will Young, nominated for best actor in a musical for his West End debut in Cabaret, prepares to perform the number Wilkommen from the show Photograph: David Levene

Homeland star Damian Lewis waits backstage before presenting the award for best revival to Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, starring David Suchet and Laurie Metcalf Photograph: David Levene

Glee star Matthew Morrison waits in the wings before performing a medley of songs from West Side Story Photograph: David Levene

Adrian Lester, currently playing Othello at the National Theatre in London, prepares to present the award for best actress in a musical to Imelda Staunton, for her role in Sweeney Todd Photograph: David Levene

Lily James (Lady Rose in Downtown Abbey, and Hugh Bonneville's on-screen niece) waits to present the award for best supporting actress in a musical to Leigh Zimmerman, for A Chorus Line Photograph: David Levene

David Suchet, star of best revival Long Day's Journey into Night (and Poirot), waits to present a special award to director, choreographer and dancer Gillian Lynne Photograph: David Levene

Presenter Lee Evans eats an Olivier made of cake, before presenting the real thing to best director Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) Photograph: David Levene

American tenor Bryan Hymel celebrates after winning the outstanding achievement in opera award, for three performances: in Les Troyens, Robert le Diable and Rusalka. He thanked his parents for years of driving him to music lessons Photograph: David Levene

Singer Petula Clark waits to go on for her rendition of With One Look, from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard Photograph: David Levene

Tom Hiddleston (The Hollow Crown, The Deep Blue Sea, Thor) prepares to present the award for best new play to Simon Stephens and Mark Haddon, for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Photograph: David Levene

Emi Wokoma performs Tina Turner's Simply the Best on the Royal Opera House stage; Soul Sister was nominated in the best new musical category (won by Top Hat) Photograph: David Levene

Nicola Walker (centre) in hair and makeup backstage, before meeting the press and after winning the best supporting actress for her role as the mother in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Photograph: David Levene

Marianela Nunez, principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, after receiving her best achievement in dance award for performances in Aeternum, Diana & Actaeon and Viscera Photograph: David Levene

The cast of A Chorus Line, nominated for best musical revival, perform a number from the show Photograph: David Levene

The cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats get their final once-over before heading on stage to perform the final number of the evening, a medley from the show in honour of original choreographer Gillian Lynne, recipient of a lifetime achievement award Photograph: David Levene