Gypsy, Kinky Boots and Dame Judi Dench lead Olivier Awards winners
Hit musicals Gypsy and Kinky Boots were big winners at last night’s Olivier Awards.
Kinky Boots – penned by pop icon Cyndi Lauper – won Best New Musical, with Matt Henry picking up the award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Lauper later gave a special live performance of her hit ‘True Colours.”
The singer is a long time supporter of LGBT rights and said she was moved by the support the musical has received from the British public.
The show tells the story of a struggling shoe factory boss whose gains inspiration from a drag queen.
Lauper is well-known for her charity work with the LGBT community, opening a series of homeless shelters for gay and trans people across New York City.
In 2012, she launched The Forty to None Project aimed at empowering and advocating on behalf of homeless LGBT youth, and raising awareness of the problems they face.
Gypsy was named Best Musical Revival, with star Imelda Staunton being named Best Actress in a Musical.
Dame Judi Dench also took home a record eighth award for her role in The Winter’s Tale.
Other winners included Mark Gatiss for Three Days In The Country and Laura Pulver in Gypsy.
Newcomer Denise Gough, who beat Nicole Kidman to the Best Actress award for her role as a recovering alcoholic in People, Places and Things.
