An American actor received recognition for his performance as the author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in the play “Giant,” which addresses Dahl’s anti-Semitic attitudes.

American actor John Lithgow won the best actor trophy at the London stage Olivier Awards on Sunday for exploring the dark side of children’s writer Roald Dahl in
Giant
.

Backwards-biographical story
The Strange Story of Benjamin Button
was crowned the Best New Musical at the ceremony, which serves as Britain’s counterpart to Broadway’s Tony Awards.

Conclave
actor John Lithgow placed the Olivier award onto a shelf that already holds numerous Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe accolades, recognizing his portrayal of the author.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
In Mark Rosenblatt’s play, which addresses Dahl’s anti-Semitic sentiments.

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“I believe I might pass out,” admitted a moved Lithgow, aged 79. He expressed his desire to reassure British people that the transatlantic “special relationship” remains strongly established.

He mentioned that it’s not typically simple to integrate an American into your community, and currently, it might be somewhat more complex than normal.

Lesley Manville, who has portrayed Princess Margaret among her various roles listed in her curriculum vitae (CV),
The Crown
, won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of the stunned queen consort Jocasta in
Oedipus
.

Director Robert Icke’s contemporary adaptation of the classic Greek drama, set to debut on Broadway later this year, received the accolade for best play revival.

Imelda Staunton, who portrays Queen Elizabeth in the last two seasons of
The Crown
, won an award for Best Actress in a Musical for
Hello, Dolly! –
The fifth Olivier Award of her career went to her, while the Best Actor in a Musical prize was awarded to John Dagleish for his role as the male lead who experiences aging backwards.
Benjamin Button
.

The musical draws from a tale penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which was later adapted into a 2008 movie featuring Brad Pitt.

The Olivier Awards took place during a ceremony held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, presided over by Broadway, TV, and runway icon Billy Porter alongside British soul vocalist Beverley Knight.

The stars among the audience included recently crowned Oscar winner Adrien Brody — he was also nominated for Best Actor at the Oliviers for his role in a stage drama about death row.
The Fear of 13
– and Cate Blanchett, who was most recently spotted performing on the London stage in
The Seagull
.

Giant
received three awards, including the prize for Best New Play.
Benjamin Button
Also claimed victory thrice, just like an energetic open-air performance of
Fiddler on the Roof
At the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which received accolades as the best musical revival.

Maimuna Memon received the award for best supporting actress in a musical for her role inspired by Tolstoy.
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
.

Layton Williams received the corresponding Supporting Actor award for his flamboyant tribute to Celine Dion.
Titanique
.

For performances, the award for supporting actor was presented to Elliot Levey for
Giant
and Romola Garai for
The Years
Norwegian filmmaker Eline Arbo received the award for best director.
The Years
, adapted from the autobiographical work of Nobel Laureate in Literature, Annie Ernaux.

The awards, honoring accomplishments in theater, opera, and dance, were established in 1976 and bear the name of the late actor and director Laurence Olivier. The recipients are selected through votes cast by professional stages and audience members alike.

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