Movie News

Radcliffe wins best newcomer at theatre awards

Fri 22 Feb 9:20 AM

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe won best newcomer at the Theatregoers' Choice Awards for his role in the West End play Equus.

The actor's celebrated role in London's West End play last year required him to appear naked on stage as a crazed character obsessed with blinding horses. The show also won two more awards including best play revival.

The musical adaptation of John Waters Hairspray was the big winner of the night, scooping a record seven awards including best new musical, best musical actress for Leanne Jones and best musical actor for Michael Ball for his role as the heroine's overweight mother.

Hairspray director Jack O'Brien said, "For those of us who regularly watch tons of American awards falling into British hands, well, we're ecstatic about this wonderful reciprocation."

Other big names winners included Sir Ian McKellen for King Lear, Dame Maggie Smith for The Lady From Dubuque and Diana Rigg for her role in Pedro Almodovar stage adaptation of All About My Mother.

The awards were voted by members of the website whatsonstage.com, and the winners will be presented with their prizes at London's Lyric Theatre on Sunday.