Irish star Jessie Buckley was among the winners at the Olivier Awards in London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday night, winning Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret.
The Killarney actress appeared overwhelmed with emotion as she collected her award at the annual theatre celebration, saying: "It's such a huge privilege to be part of this community, which I consider my family. Thank you for welcoming me in all those years ago. This is just so lovely."
Last month, Buckley was among the Best Supporting Actress nominees at the Oscars for her performance in The Lost Daughter.
Another Irish winner at the Olivier Awards was the Irish Baroque Orchestra, who scooped the award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera at the Royal Albert Hall ceremony.
The award was presented by Irish actress Fiona Shaw.
Vivaldi’s Bajazet was a co-production between Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera House, which toured Ireland in January before transferring to London in February. The production received rave reviews across the run, and has placed Irish arts in the international spotlight.
Meanwhile, Cabaret proved to be the hot ticket at this year's Olivier Awards, scooping seven gongs out of its 11 nominations on the night, including awards for Buckley's co-stars Eddie Redmayne (Best Actor in a Musical), Liza Sadovy (Best Supporting Actress), and Elliot Levey (Best Supporting Actor).
Oscar winner Redmayne said he would not have taken on the role of The Emcee without Buckley agreeing to be his co-star.
"Every night, getting to introduce her singing Cabaret, and then getting to peek through the curtain and watch her roar that track was the stuff that dreams are made of," he said.
"You are one of the greats and thank you for that privilege."
The revival of the hit show, which transformed the West End's Playhouse Theatre into the Kit Kat Club, was also named Best Musical Revival while Rebecca Frecknall won Best Director for her helming of the production. Best Sound completed Cabaret's awards haul.
Also among the winners were the Irish Baroque Orchestra and its Artistic Director, Peter Whelan. They were honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in Opera award for Vivaldi's Bajazet, a co-production between Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera House.
The winner of the award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera is:@Whelanpp and the @IrishBaroque for Bajazet at @RoyalOperaHouse - Linbury Theatre#OlivierAwards pic.twitter.com/ciKv4GkxiM
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) April 10, 2022
Life of Pi, based on Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, picked up five prizes at the ceremony, including Best New Play.
Star Hiran Abeysekera was named Best Actor while the seven actors who play the Tiger shared the Best Supporting Actor prize.
Sheila Atim was named Best Actress for Constellations, which was named Best Revival while Back to the Future won the Best New Musical prize.
Liz Carr won the Best Supporting Actress prize for her role in A Normal Heart while Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of) was named Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.
Source: Press Association
