The Stage

Mary Stuart collects South Bank Show theatre award

Published Monday 30 January 2006 at 12:15 by Liz Thomas

Mary Stuart, the sell-out production that debuted at the Donmar Warehouse before transfering to the Apollo, has won the South Bank Show theatre award.

Ewan McGregor handed the accolade to director Phyllida Lloyd, who was joined on stage by some of the cast. The show beat The Philanthropist, which also ran at the Donmar and The Royal Court’s controversial production My Name is Rachel Corrie.

Sylvie Guillem and Russell Maliphant won the gong for dance, seeing off competition from Scottish Ballet’s Ashley Page and Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands.

In TV drama Channel 4’s Elizabeth I managed to stem the BBC Doctor Who steam train. The period production also beat BBC4’s Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky to win. Hollywood star Kathleen Turner presented the award to Helen Mirren and Hugh Dancy. Meanwhile Billie Piper picked up the breakthrough award for rising British Talent. An emotional star said: “I find these awards so overwhelming. I feel quite awkward, terrified at these things. I have had such a great year and there is so much to look forward to.”

Ian McKellen presented Richard Attenborough with the accolade for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts. A filmed tribute looked at the acclaimed actor/director’s 60-year career with successes such as Gandhi, The Great Escape or more recently Jurassic Park.

Channel 4 also won the gong for comedy with cult hit Peep Show, which stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb, beating BBC2’s Extras and Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Comic legend Eric Sykes presented the award to Peep Show writer’s Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong.

The event, now in its tenth year, was fronted by Melvyn Bragg and held at London’s Savoy Hotel.