Helen Mirren wins first Olivier Award

The 67-year-old actress picked up the prestigious Best actress award for her role as Queen Elizabeth the II in Stephen Daldry's 'The Audience' at the ceremony celebrating the best in British theatre at London's Royal Opera House last night.

This is the fourth time Helen has been recognised for playing the British monarch, making history thanks to previous wins at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Academy Awards for 2006 drama 'The Queen'.

After beating off stiff competition from Billie Piper for 'The Effect' and Kristin Scott Thomas for 'Old Times', Helen said she thought the Queen would be pleased and declared the royal deserved an award herself for "the most consistent, committed performance of the 20th century and probably the 21st too."

'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' was the biggest winner of the night, scooping seven gongs - including Best director and Best new play - for the National Theatre's adaptation of Mark Haddon's bestselling novel.

The show's star, Luke Treadaway, took home the Best Actor prize, leaving Hollywood heavyweights James McAvoy ('Macbeth') and Rafe Spall ('Constellations') empty-handed.

'Sweeney Todd' was awarded Best musical revival, with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton named best actor and actress.

New musical 'Top Hat' also picked up three prizes, including Best choreography and costume design.

The 37th annual awards show was hosted by two-time Olivier winner Sheridan Smith and 'Downton Abbey' actor Hugh Bonneville, and saw live performances by 'Glee' stars Matthew Morrison and Idina Menzel.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best actor: Luke Treadaway - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best actress: Helen Mirren - 'The Audience'

Best actor in a supporting role: Richard McCabe - 'The Audience'

Best actress in a supporting role: Nicola Walker - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Mastercard best new play: 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best director: Marianne Elliott - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best actor in a musical: Michael Ball - 'Sweeney Todd'

Best actress in a musical: Imelda Staunton - 'Sweeney Todd'

Best performance in a supporting role in a musical: Leigh Zimmerman - 'A Chorus Line'

Best new musical: 'Top Hat'

Best revival: 'Long Day's Journey Into Night'

Best musical revival: 'Sweeney Todd'

Best entertainment and family: 'Goodnight Mister Tom'

White Light award for best lighting design: Paule Constable - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best sound design: Ian Dickinson and Adrian Sutton - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best costume design: Jon Morrell - 'Top Hat'

XL Video award for best set design: Bunny Christie and Finn Ross - 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'

Best new dance production: 'Aeternum' by the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon

Outstanding achievement in dance: Marianela Nuñez for 'Aeternum', 'Diana & Actaeon and Viscera', the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House

Best theatre choreographer: Bill Deamer - 'Top Hat'

Outstanding achievement in an affiliate theatre: The season of new writing at the Royal Court Upstairs

Best new opera production: 'Einstein On the Beach' at the Barbican theatre

Outstanding achievement in opera: Bryan Hymel for his performances in 'Les Troyens', 'Robert le Diable' and 'Rusalka' at the Royal Opera House

BBC Radio 2 audience award: 'Billy Elliot the Musical'

Special award: Gillian Lynne Michael Frayn (Playwright)