‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ Triumphs at London Evening Standard Awards

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the stage sequel to J.K. Rowling’s book series, won the first of what is likely to be a treasure trove of awards Sunday when it was named best stage play at the London Evening Standard Theater Awards.

Actress Noma Dumezweni, who plays Hermione in the play, read out a message from Rowling lauding its director John Tiffany and writer Jack Thorne for “crafting the bare bones of a story into something very special,” the BBC reported. Tiffany, who accepted the award from Maggie Smith, said: “It’s a show about the peril of isolation, about unity, about family and about love.”

Tiffany was beaten to the best director award by John Malkovich, who won with “Good Canary” at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. Other stars being feted included Ralph Fiennes, who was crowned best actor for both “The Master Builder” and “Richard III,” and Glenn Close, for her performance in the musical “Sunset Boulevard.” Close, who accepted the award from Elton John, said reprising the role of Norma Desmond in the musical had been a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The ceremony, which was held at London’s Old Vic theater, was attended by a host of celebrities, including Prince William, Orlando Bloom, Joan Collins, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hollander, James McAvoy, Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh, who received the special Lebedev award for his season of plays at the Garrick Theater.

62nd London Evening Standard Theater Award Winners
ACTOR – Ralph Fiennes, “The Master Builder” (Old Vic), “Richard III” (Almeida)
ACTRESS – Billie Piper, “Yerma” (Young Vic)
PLAY – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” co-written by Jack Thorne, J.K.Rowling and John Tiffany (Palace)
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE – Glenn Close, “Sunset Boulevard” (Coliseum)
MUSICAL – “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Regent’s Park Open Air Theater)
DIRECTOR – John Malkovich, “Good Canary” (Rose Theater, Kingston)
REVIVAL – “No Man’s Land” (Wyndham’s)
DESIGN – Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin (sound design), “The Encounter” (Edinburgh International Festival/Barbican)
MOST PROMISING PLAYWRIGHT – Charlene James, “Cuttin’ It” (Young Vic/Royal Court)
EMERGING TALENT AWARD – Tyrone Huntley, “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Regent’s Park Open Air Theater)
BEYOND THEATER – David Attenborough
EDITOR’S AWARD – Good Chance Theater
LEBEDEV AWARD – Kenneth Branagh

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