Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: Sheridan Smith, Ruth Wilson and Glenn Close bring star power to this year’s lavish ceremony

The star-studded event kicked off in style at The Old Vic
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Jennifer Ruby13 November 2016
The Weekender

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Sheridan Smith, Ruth Wilson and Glenn Close were among the big name stars to walk the red carpet at this year’s Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

The ceremony - presented by Rob Brydon and co-hosted by Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev and Sir Elton John - got underway at the Old Vic on Sunday evening.

Sheridan Smith made her big return to the spotlight at the event after being shortlisted in the Best Musical Performance category.

Ellie Bamber, Amber Le Bon and Lily Donaldson also brought a touch of glamour to proceedings in stunning gowns, while the Duke of Cambridge arrived to give the event the royal seal of approval.

Glenn Close and Andrew Lloyd Webber ( Ian West/PA)
Ian West/PA

A roll call of Britain’s finest acting talent including Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Michael Gambon and Sir Patrick Stewart descended on the London theatre.

“I’m just waiting for one of these blokes to give me a part in one of their plays, where I’m like a butler and I come on every two minutes and don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t speak much” Sir Michael told London Live.

Orlando Bloom walked the red carpet solo as other half Katy Perry is over in the US, arriving fashionably late.

John Malkovich, who will be going up against Dominic Cooke and John Tiffany in the Best Director category, was the first to arrive.

Billie Piper on the red carpet (Ian West/PA )
Ian West/PA

Last year’s Best Actor winner, James McAvoy was on hand to present the award for Best Actress.

The Duke of Cambridge arrives at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards (Ian West/PA )
Ian West/PA

Speaking to London Live, he said: "It's a huge honour to come here and help celebrate the work of some incredible actresses so it's nerve-wracking in a different way."

Sir Michael Gambon on the red carpet at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 - London Live

Anthony Boyle, who is up for the Emerging Talent prize for his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, gave a thumbs up as he arrived at the theatre.

This year’s shortlist highlights the best that theatre has to offer in categories including Best Musical Performance, the Milton Shulman Award for Best Director and the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright.

Helen McCrory, Noma Dumezweni, Sophie Melville and Billie Piper are all contending for the Best Actress award while Sir Kenneth Branagh will compete against O-T Fagbenle, James McArdle, Ralph Fiennes and Sir Ian McKellen.

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