Olivier Awards 2023: Paul Mescal and Jodie Comer triumph at the biggest night in UK theatre with the Irish actor paying tribute to his cancer-stricken mother in an emotional speech
Paul Mescal and Jodie Comer both won their first Olivier Awards at the star-studded ceremony at London’a Royal Albert Hall on Sunday.
Irish actor Paul, 27, triumphed for his powerful perfomance as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire following a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre.
During his speech he thanked his beloved mother Dearbhla, who is receiving treatment for cancer, before adding: ‘I hope you get better.’
Addressing the diagnosis herself on social media, his mum previously told her followers that she was starting to ‘live with cancer’, having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma which is a type of bone marrow cancer in July 2022.
Meanwhile Killing Eve star Jodie, 30, triumphed and was awarded Best Actress for her role in one woman play Prima Facie.
Big win: Paul Mescal (left) and Jodie Comer (right) both won their first Olivier Awards at the star-studded ceremony at London’a Royal Albert Hall on Sunday
Celebrations! The duo posed together backstage following their big wins
Hold it tight! They proudly grasped their awards that feature the image of legendary actor Laurence Olivier
What a night! Irish actor Paul, 27, triumphed for his powerful perfomance as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire following a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre
Love: During his speech he thanked his beloved mother Dearbhla, who is receiving treatment for cancer , before adding: ‘I hope you get better’ (pictured together at this year’s BAFTAs)
On stage: Paul completed a sold-out run of the play at the Almeida Theatre in February and transferred to the Phoenix Theatre in the West End for a six-week run last month
During her speech she told the star-studded audience: ‘I’m so overwhelmed. This play has changed my life. I am so grateful and I have so many people to thank’.
‘To Suzie Miller for writing the most exquisite play I have ever had the pleasure of reading’.
‘One thing I would like to say to any kids who haven’t been to drama school, who can’t afford to go to drama school, who has been rejected from drama school, don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t possible.
‘It might take the stars to align and you to be met with generous, kind, patient people but it is possible.
‘Mum, Dad, I love you, and my Grandad is 82 today so happy birthday.’
The play which follows the story of a brilliant barrister who has progressed from her working class origins to the top of the profession before an unexpected event change her life – also won Best New Play.
After receiving critical acclaim for her performance at the Harold Pinter Theatre Jodie will be taking the play to Broadway later this month.
Ahead of the ceremony she told the PA news agency: ‘It’s incredible. I could never have dreamed of the response and reaction (to the play), it really does feel as though the audience has become so much a part of this as we are.
Hold it high! Paul held his award in the sky triumphantly
All smiles: He couldn’t wipe the big grin from his face
First timers: This marks the both star’s first Olivier Award
Winner: Meanwhile Killing Eve star Jodie, 30, triumphed and was awarded Best Actress for her role in one woman play Prima Facie
Overwhelmed: During her speech she told the star-studded audience: ‘I’m so overwhelmed. This play has changed my life. I am so grateful and I have so many people to thank’
‘It’s so incredibly heart-warming to be in the theatre every night and feel the presence of everyone and the energy kind of shared so I’m so excited, I feel very lucky that I’m able to revisit it.’
When asked if she loved theatre as much as TV and film, Comer told PA: ‘Yes, I’ve definitely got the bug now for sure’.
Next Paul’s Streetcar co-star Anjana Vasan was awarded with The Best Supporting Actress gong for her impressive perfomance as Stella Kowalski.
While Best Support actor was presented to Will Keen for Patriotsaa compelling study of Russian dissidence by The Crown’s Peter Morgan.
Speaking out: ‘One thing I would like to say to any kids who haven’t been to drama school, who can’t afford to go to drama school, who has been rejected from drama school, don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t possible’
Kind words: Adding: ‘It might take the stars to align and you to be met with generous, kind, patient people but it is possible’.
Tears: She appeared to choke back tears when giving her emotional speech
Drama: The actress put on a very leggy display in a crimson mini dress that boasted ruffles and a long dramatic train
Taking the world by storm: After receiving critical acclaim for her performance at the Harold Pinter Theatre Jodie will be taking the play to Broadway later this month
Talented: The critically acclaimed one-woman production also won Best new Play
Best Director was awarded to Phelim McDermott for his adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1988 animated film My Neighbour Totoro.
Meanwhile, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips said it is ‘incredible’ to receive this year’s Special Award honouring her illustrious stage career.
The 79-year-old told PA: ‘I know, ultimately, it means yes I’m getting old and I’ve done a lot of musicals but actually to come all together for a lifetime award is so so special.
‘I never thought one of the things I would ever hold is an Olivier award, it’s just amazing.
‘My satisfaction is not about getting an award, it’s just knowing the shows I do have the power to make people smile.
Honour: Meanwhile, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips said it is ‘incredible’ to receive this year’s Special Award honouring her illustrious stage career
Pride: The 79-year-old told PA: ‘I know, ultimately, it means yes I’m getting old and I’ve done a lot of musicals but actually to come all together for a lifetime award is so so special’
‘That has been my treasure, my pleasure. But actually being awarded an Olivier because of the collectively of all those shows means everything.’
Dame Arlene, whose choreography will be seen in the new immersive version of Guys And Dolls, said the theatre is ‘more important than ever’.
She added: ‘To see people come in with whatever worries they’re carrying – having just done Guys And Dolls, it’s another show where people are literally shouting with joy at the end, you know they’re going to take that with them and talk about it and come back if they can.’
Olivier Awards 2023: The Winners
Best Actor
Tom Hollander – Patriots
Paul Mescal- A Streetcar Named Desire – WINNER
Rafe Spall – To Kill a Mockingbird
David Tennant – Good
Giles Terera – Blues for an Alabama Sky
Best Actor in a Musical
Alon Moni Aboutboul – The Band’s Visit
Arthur Darvill – Oklahoma
Julian Ovenden- South Pacific
Andrew Rannells – Tammy Faye
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo , Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh and Kaine Lawrence – For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
Will Keen- Patriots – WINNER
Elliot Levey – Good
David Moorst – To Kill a Mockingbird
Sule Rimi – Blues for an Alabama Sky
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Rose Ayling-Ellis – As You Like It
Pamela Nomvete – To Kill a Mockingbird
Caroline Quentin – Jack Absolute Flies Again
Sharon Small – Good
Anjana Vasan – A Streetcar Named Desire – WINNER
Best Director
Rebecca Frecknall – A Streetcar Named Desire
Robert Hastie – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Justin Martin – Prima Facie
Phelim McDermott – My Neighbour Totoro – WINNER
Bartlett Sher – To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Revival
The Crucible
Good
Jerusalem
A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Actress
Jodie Comer – Prima Facie – WINNER
Patsy Ferran – A Streetcar Named Desire
Mei Mac – My Neighbour Totoro
Janet McTeer – Pheadra
Nicola Walker – The Corn Is Green
Best Actress in a Musical
Katie Brayben – Tammy Faye
Anoushka Lucas – Oklahoma
Miri Mesika – The Band’s Visit
Faith Omole – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Sharif Afifi – The Band’s Visit
Peter Polycarpou – The Band’s Visit
Clive Rowe- in Sister Act
Zubin Varla – Tammy Faye
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Beverley Knight – Sylvia
Maimuna Memon – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Liza Sadovy- Oklahoma
Marisha Wallace – Oklahoma
Best New Play
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
Patriots
Prima Facie – WINNER
To Kill a Mockingbird
Best New Musical
The Band’s Visit e
Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Sylvia
Tammy Faye
Best Revival of a Musical
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma
Sister Act
South Pacific
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