American actor John Lithgow and British actress Lesley Manville were among the top winners at this year’s Olivier Awards, celebrating excellence in London theatre. Lithgow, 79, was awarded Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in Giant, a production exploring the children’s author’s moral dilemma over a public apology. Upon accepting the award, Lithgow jokingly said he might “faint”, and added, “I want to assure you that the special relationship is still firmly intact,” referencing tensions between the UK and US following President Donald Trump’s tariffs on British exports.
++ Death toll rises to 60 following North Macedonia nightclub fire
Lithgow continued his speech with a nod to the political climate, noting that “it’s not always easy to welcome an American into your midst”, and acknowledging the current complexities of international relations. Backstage, he told the PA news agency he was optimistic that the US was entering a phase of “restoration and reparation”, referencing Democratic senator Cory Booker’s public call to oppose President Trump’s policies. Lithgow added he retained hope, despite what he described as the “complete disaster of this administration”.
British talent also received high honours. Elliot Levey, Lithgow’s co-star, won Best Supporting Actor, while Lesley Manville was named Best Actress for her performance in Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre. Speaking to PA, Manville described her on-stage emotions, explaining the award was especially meaningful due to her deep connection with the role. She also revealed she would be flying to Dublin early the next morning for filming commitments, and expected little sleep following her win.
++ Joan of Arc’s gender identity sparks controversy in schools
Other winners included Romola Garai, who received Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Years, an adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s memoir. Garai, who had also been nominated in the same category for her performance in Giant, admitted to a moment of panic during her acceptance speech. “I had this sudden, terrifying thought that I might be accepting the award for the wrong play,” she said. The star-studded evening, held at the Royal Albert Hall, was co-hosted by British singer Beverley Knight and Pose actor Billy Porter, honouring achievements across the theatrical world.
