Weisz wins best actress prize for Streetcar
Rachel Weisz wins best actress prize for A Streetcar Named Desire
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Monday, 23, Nov 2009 05:24
By Lewis Bazley.
Academy award winner Rachel Weisz has been named best actress at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire.
Weisz, 39, took the award for her portrayal of Blance DuBois in the Donmar Warehouse revival of the Tennessee Williams play, while comedian Lenny Henry won a best newcomer prize for his acclaimed theatrical debut as the lead in Othello.
Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem was awarded the best play trophy at the Standard awards, while leading man Mark Rylance claimed the best actor prize for his performance as Johnny 'Rooster' Byron at the Royal Court.
Weisz was unable to attend the ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London as she is filming in Romania, but said in a statement: "I'm so thrilled and honoured to receive this tremendous award. Thank you so much to the Evening Standard".
Her award was presented by Vanessa Redgrave, mother of the late Natasha Richardson, and Weisz added: "It is even more of an honour because this is the first year that the award has been named after the great and much, much-loved Natasha Richardson."
Rupert Goold was honoured with the best director award for Enron, which transfers to the West End in the New Year, while the summer revival of Hello Dolly! won the best musical prize.
The winners of the 2009 Evening Standard Theatre Awards are:
Best play: Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth
Best actor: Mark Rylance in Jerusalem
Best actress: Rachel Weisz in A Streetcar Named Desire
Best director: Rupert Goold for Enron
Best musical: Hello Dolly!
Best design: Mamoru Iriguchi for Mincemeat
Most promising playwright: Alia Bano for Shades
Outstanding newcomer: Lenny Henry in Othello
Special award: Ian McKellen (for contribution to British theatre)