Donmar Warehouse lead the list of winners of the 2008 Evening Standard Awards, which were presented in a ceremony at the Royal Opera House on November 24. The theater company took home four awards out of its
previously announced six nominations, including Chiwetel Ejiofor as Best Actor, Margaret Tyzack and Penelope Wilton as Best Actress and Michael Grandage as Best Director.
Also taking home awards were Kevin Spacey and Royal Shakespeare Company. Spacey received a special award for his work as Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre. The RSC was honored with a special award for its dedication to producing history plays, presented by David Tennant who currently stars in their production of
Hamlet.
The full list of winners of the 2008 Evening Standard Awards are as follows:
Best Play
The Pitmen Painters by Lee Hall
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
, Othello
Best Actress
Margaret Tyzack
, The Chalk Garden and Penelope Wilton,
The Chalk Garden tie
The Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical
Street Scene
The Sydney Edwards Award for Best Director
Michael Grandage,
Othello/The Chalk Garden/Ivanov
Best Design
Neil Murray,
Brief Encounter
The Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer
Ella Smith,
Fat Pig
The Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright
Tarell Alvin McCraney,
In the Red and Brown Water/The Brothers Size