Honk! The Ugly Duckling, the British musical based on the children's story, walked away with this year's Olivier Award for best new musical, beating out such heavyweights as The Lion King and Mamma Mia!. Winning best new play was Richard Nelson's Goodnight Children Everywhere, while Shelagh Stephenson's The Memory of Water was cited as best new comedy.
The Oliviers are London theatre's highest theatrical awards.
The Lion King entered the 2000 Olivier contest with eight nominations, but left with only two prizes, for Julie Taymor's costumes and Garth Fagan's choreography.
Jenny Galloway won for best supporting performance in a musical, for her performance in the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!
Honk!, a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's story, "The Ugly Duckling," was written by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles. The London Honk!, directed by Julia McKenzie, plays at the Royal National's Olivier Theatre. The show is currently begin presented at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center in Nyack, New York. Both Children and Water have been seen in New York, at Playwrights Horizons and Manhattan Theatre Club, respectively.
The RNT's Candide won the trophy for outstanding musical production, while Peter O'Toole was given an Olivier for longstanding achievement.
Stay tuned to Playbill On-Line for a complete list of winners.