The play 'Stones In His Pockets' by Marie Jones has won two Laurence Olivier awards at a ceremony in London this afternoon. Conleth Hill won the Best Actor accolade for his multi-faceted role while the play also won Best New Comedy award. Pauline Flanagan won Best Supporting Actress for her part in Frank McGuinness' play, 'Dolly West's Kitchen'. Elsewhere, Mark Anthony Turnage and Amanda Holden's new opera, 'The Silver Tassie', won the Outstanding Achievement In Opera award. Based on Sean O'Casey's 1928 pacifist play about the First World War, the judging panel said that the work for the English National Opera combined poignancy and humour in a richly-textured score. Julie Walters beat off competition from Jessica Lange and Helen Mirren to win the Best Actress award for her role in Arthur Miller's 'All My Sons'.
Presented in recognition of distinguished artistic achievement, the Olivier awards are regarded as the most prestigious awards on the London theatre scene. They are unique in that the adjudicating panels include members of the theatre-going public, who work alongside experts chosen for their knowledge and professional experience. There are three independent panels for Theatre, Opera and Dance.
