Rosamund Pike and Brendan Gleeson have been named the best actors at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards.
Paddington the Musical, which stars a life-like puppet Paddington Bear, was also recognised as the best new musical following its debut in December at the Savoy Theatre.
The prizes, which are voted for by the professional theatre critics – who are members of the Critics’ Circle, were awarded during a ceremony at the National Theatre on Thursday.
Gone Girl actress Pike took home the NLP award for best actress for her performance as court judge Jessica Parks in Suzie Miller’s legal drama Inter Alia.
Among her fellow nominees was Rachel Zegler, who was up for her performance playing Eva Peron – Argentina’s former first lady – in Jamie Lloyd’s production of the hit musical Evita.
Meanwhile, Irish actor Gleeson, known for films including In Bruges and The Banshees Of Inisherin, received the best actor award for his West End debut performance in Conor McPherson’s The Weir – a role which he will reprise in its upcoming film adaptation.
He beat Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston and I May Destroy You actor Paapa Essiedu – who were both up for the award for their performances in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.
Speaking about the range of winners, Mark Lawson, chair of the Critics’ Circle Drama section, said: “They show an exhilarating range of work across a vast variety of venues and genres – all achieved in challenging economic times.”
The best new play prize was awarded to James Graham’s Punch while Paddington The Musical, which was written by McFly star Tom Fletcher and based on the Michael Bond book A Bear Called Paddington and the 2014 film Paddington, continued its award-winning streak with the best new musical award.
Ava Pickett was named the most promising playwright for her historical drama 1536, with Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis picking up the most promising newcomer award for her role in Tom Stoppard’s Indian Ink.
Other winners include Ivo van Hove, who was named the best director for his production of All My Sons – which also took home the award for best revival of a play or musical.
Jordan Fein’s production of Into The Woods also claimed two awards, including for the best ensemble or cast with Tom Scutt winning best designer for the production.
