Dame Judi Dench has collected a record eighth Olivier Award. At a ceremony in London, she was honoured as the best supporting actress for her role as Paulina in Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale at the Garrick Theatre.

The musical Gypsy won the most awards on the night; its four prizes were Best Musical Revival, Best Actress in a Musical for Imelda Staunton, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Lara Pulver and Best Lighting Design.

Kenneth Cranham was named the Best Actor for The Father, from a short-list that included Sir Kenneth Branagh, Benedict Cumberbatch and the recently Oscar-winning Mark Rylance. Cranham joked that he felt like a little old cornershop that had beaten some big brand names.

Denise Gough beat Gemma Arterton and Nicole Kidman to the Best Actress honours, for her performance as a recovering addict in People, Places and Things. Accepting her award, she remarked that it was a shame that while progress had been made in racial diversity on the stage, it hadn’t been represented among the nominees in her category.

Best Supporting Actor went to Mark Gatiss for Three Days in the Country, while Best Actor in a musical went to Matt Henry for Kinky Boots, which also won Best New Musical and Best Costume Design.

Another musical, In The Heights, also won three awards; best actor in a musical for David Bedella, best music and best choreography.

The Royal Court’s production of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen was honoured as the best new play, as well as for its set design. Nell Gwyn, starring Gemma Arterton in the title role, was named the best new comedy.

Robert Icke was named the best director for the Greek tragedy Oresteia.

The only award voted for by members of the public, The Oliviers Audience Award, went to the long-running musical, The Phantom of the Opera.

THE FULL LIST OF OLIVIER AWARD WINNERS:

:: Best Actor
Kenneth Cranham for The Father at Wyndham’s Theatre
:: Best Actress
Denise Gough for People, Places And Things at National Theatre, Dorfman
:: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Mark Gatiss for Three Days In The Country at National Theatre, Lyttelton
:: Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Dame Judi Dench for The Winter’s Tale at Garrick Theatre
:: Best Actor in a Musical
Matt Henry for Kinky Boots at Adelphi Theatre
:: Best Actress in a Musical
Imelda Staunton for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre
:: Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
David Bedella for In The Heights at King’s Cross Theatre
:: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Lara Pulver for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre
:: MasterCard Best New Musical
Kinky Boots at Adelphi Theatre

:: Magic Radio Audience Award
The Phantom Of The Opera
:: Best New Comedy
Nell Gwynn at Apollo Theatre
:: Best Musical Revival
Gypsy at Savoy Theatre
:: Best New Dance Production
Woolf Works by Wayne McGregor at Royal Opera House
:: Best New Opera Production
Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci at Royal Opera House
:: Best Revival
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at National Theatre, Lyttelton
:: Virgin Atlantic Best New Play
Hangmen at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre and Wyndham’s Theatre
:: Best Director
Robert Icke for Oresteia at Almeida Theatre

:: Outstanding Achievement in Dance
Alessandra Ferri for her performances in Cheri and Woolf Works at Royal Opera House
:: Autograph Sound Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music
In The Heights – Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Orchestrated and Arranged by Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman at King’s Cross Theatre
:: Best Theatre Choreographer
Drew McOnie for In The Heights at King’s Cross Theatre
:: Best Costume Design
Gregg Barnes for Kinky Boots at Adelphi Theatre
:: Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
Anna Fleischle for Hangmen at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre and Wyndham’s Theatre
:: White Light Award For Best Lighting Design
Mark Henderson for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre
:: Best Sound Design
Tom Gibbons for People, Places And Things at National Theatre, Dorfman
:: Outstanding Achievement in Opera
English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra for The Force Of Destiny, Lady Macbeth Of Mtsensk and The Queen Of Spades at London Coliseum
:: Best Entertainment and Family
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical at Apollo Theatre
:: Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre
Pat Kinevane and Fishamble for Silent at Soho Theatre