The winners of the 40^th Olivier Awards were announced at a star-studded event last night in Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, in the heart of theatre land.

The Big Winners

The biggest sweep of the night was for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre, with four wins:
Best Actress in a Musical, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, Best Musical Revival and Best Lighting Design.

In The Heights also took home a trio:
Best Theatre Choreographer, Outstanding Achievement in Music and Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical and 

Kinky Boots also won 3 Olivier Awards:
Best Costume Design, Best Actor in a Musical and MasterCard Best New Musical.

Everyone’s favourite, Judi Dench, took home her 8th Olivier Award last night – beating her very own record!

Best Revival

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at National Theatre

Best New Comedy

Nell Gwynn at Apollo Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre

Pat Kinevane and Fishamble for Silent at Soho Theatre

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design

Mark Henderon for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre

Best Sound Design

Tom Gibbons for People, Places and Things at the National 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 the Royal Court and Wyndham’s Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Gatiss for Three Days in the Country at National Theatre, Lyttelton

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Judi Dench for The Winter’s Tale at Garrick Theatre

Best New Opera Production

Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci at Royal Opera House

Outstanding Achievement in Opera

English National Opera chorus and orchestra for The Force of Destiny, Lady Macbeth of Mtensk and The Queen of Spades at London Coliseum

Virgin Atlantic Best New Play

Hangmen at Jerwood Theatre, Downstairs at the Royal Court and Wyndham’s Theatre

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 New Dance Production

Woolf Works at Royal Opera House

Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Alessandra Ferri for Cheri and Woolf Works at Royal Opera House

Best Entertainment and Family

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical at Apollo Theatre

Best Theatre Choreographer

Drew McOnie for In The Heights at King’s Cross Theatre

Best Director

Robert Icke for Oresteia at Almeida Theatre

Autograph Sound Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music

In The Heights at King’s Cross 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

Laura Pulver for Gypsy at Savoy Theatre

Best Musical Revival

Gypsy at Savoy 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

MasterCard Best New Musical

Kinky Boots at Adelphi Theatre

Magic Radio Audience Award

Phantom of the Opera

Time is flying as we’re nearly a quarter way through the year. Christmas and New Year’s seem a distant memory and Spring isn’t too far off. There’s even daffodils in the shops already. Still, it’s a bit too cold for picnics and beach trips, so a trip to the theatre seems like a great choice to get a bit of air, but still keep warm.

Here’s our run down of what’s happening in the West End this March.

Get your Bend It Like Beckham tickets - QUICK!

At the beginning on the month, you’ll have to be quick if you want to catch Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre.

March 6^th is the last booking day, so you won’t have much time to waste.

This was first a film starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley back in 2002. It went on to win a number of awards and was hugely popular with the public and critics alike. It’s no surprise it’s go on to become one of the best musicals of recent times.

The show tells the story of a young Punjabi Sikh girl who dreams to play football, despite objections from her family. She eventually finds herself on a local women’s football team and starts on her path to be just like her hero Beckham.

The musical hasn’t just got a great story though. The cast is superb featuring Natalie Dew, Ronni Acona, and Preeya Kalidas.

Book your tickets for Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre.

Official opening night for MOTOWN The Musical

March sees the official opening night of Motown the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

While some early shows have already begun, critics won’t get their chance to see the show until March 8^th. Best to get your tickets now before the inevitable rave reviews make them hard to come by.

Already a hit on Broadway on the other side of the pond, this huge production won’t leave you disappointed – especially considering the inclusion of a 16-piece orchestra to musically lead the whole thing.

Motown the Musical tells the story of Berry Gordy who set up the Motown label using just $800. He went onto sign greats such as Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and many others. You’ll get the chance to hear some of the biggest Motown hits throughout the night along with some top class performances.

Book your tickets for Motown the Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Last chance to book Guys & Dolls

This month sees the last booking chance to see the classic Guys and Dolls.

If you don’t get your tickets by March 13^th. That’s it, unfortunately!

Showing at the Savoy Theatre, this world-famous show tells the story of Nathan Detroit as he frantically seeks out some much needed cash in Prohibition-era New York. He searches out some dollar, he also has to worry about his engagement to Miss Adelaide. Before long Detroit finds himself in a bizarre bet with Sky Materson involving sinners, romance, and Havana.

Make sure you don’t miss out.

Book your tickets for Guys and Dolls at the Savoy Theatre.

War of the Worlds

After several sell-out arena tours of the country, Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of the Worlds previews tonight at Dominion Theatre and has its official opening on the 18th of February.

The cast includes David Essex, Jimmy Nail, Daniel Beddingfield, Michael Praed, Madalena Alberto, Heidi Range and a holographic Liam Neeson.

Book tickets for The War of The Worlds at Dominion Theatre today.

They say there’s no business like show business, and that’s been proven by an 11% increase in box office sales in 2013. Attendance figures also climbed by 4% to reach a staggering 14.6 million, meaning that the West End earned £585 million from ticket sales.

We look at what shows are benefiting from this boost and see who the winners of the West End are.