This year’s coverage was in a 7pm slot on BBC Two. The start time was more representative of other similar coverage, such as the BAFTAs, which often enjoy high-profile outings. The difference is the BAFTA film and TV awards are shown on BBC One – no doubt a channel for which organisers of the Olivier Awards would have been angling. But BBC Two is not to be sniffed at. And if the BBC and the Society of London Theatre were mutually happy with this year’s outcome (and why wouldn’t they be? It looked great), then who’s to say BBC One won’t be on the cards down the line?

It was a genuine thrill to be in the room for this year’s ceremony, where there were a few surprises. I don’t know that anyone saw Kenrex coming away as successfully as it did against such big hitters, but fabulous that its star Jack Holden could stand on that stage, clutching his award for best actor as he prepares to take the show to New York. What a feat to walk away with that gong in the face of competition of household names such as Tom Hiddleston and Bryan Cranston. And what a moment for Sheffield Theatres, where that play originated. As Holden told us himself: "It’s amazing when big names come back to theatre and pull in audiences in their droves. But outside of those times, outside of the people on the billing sheet, there are thousands of us doing it every day for the love of it. I think it’s really important to acknowledge them."

In fact, his win chimed nicely with much of the mood in the room this year – that of supporting local theatre and the venues regionally where many of those nominated would have cut their teeth. SOLT president Kash Bennett summed it up nicely in her opening address, when she urged those in the room to support venues outside of London.

"Don’t just honour our brilliant regional theatres and their wonderful audiences with words. Back them with action. Stand with them. We must keep them alive in our presence, our work, our care. Give back to the stages that first held you, the roads where it began. Make work there and take work there, because the future of this industry doesn’t start in London, it starts everywhere else."

It was well said, and set the tone for a night that celebrated a broad array of talent and the power of theatre to entertain, enlighten and change people. Here’s to those who make it happen – and here’s to the next 50 years of the Olivier Awards.