Take a bow! Gemma Arterton dazzles in a glittering purple gown as Laura Carmichael turns heads in florals as they lead the glamour at the Olivier Awards
It's the biggest night in theatre, with scores of talented stars hoping to be recognised for their achievements on the stage.
So Gemma Arterton and Laura Carmichael ensured they pulled out all the stops for the annual Olivier Awards, which were held at the iconic Royal Opera House in London on Sunday night.
Clad in a glittering purple gown that hugged her slender curves, the 30-year-old actress put on a dazzling display as she glimmered under the bright lights of the red carpet, no doubt full of elation after being nominated for Best Actress In A Play for her role in Nell Gywnn.
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Brit of all right! Gemma Arterton and Laura Carmichael ensured they pulled out all the stops for the annual Olivier Awards, which were held at the iconic Royal Opera House in London on Sunday night
Clinging to her toned frame, the plum coloured dress was adorned with streams of shimmering sequins that ran along the bust and full length skirt, twinkling under the lights.
Featuring added embellishment and chunky jewels along the neckline, Gemma looked dressed to win as she prepared to find out if she beat her prestigious competition on the evening, which includes Nicole Kidman.
Adding another dimension to her glitzy gown, it bore billowing chiffon sleeves that flared out above the wrist, whilst a risque split flashed her extravagant heels which laced up with intricate purple threading.
Perfect in plum: Clad in a glittering purple gown that hugged her slender curves, the 30-year-old actress put on a dazzling display as she glimmered under the bright lights of the red carpet, after being nominated for Best Actress In A Play for her role in Nell Gywnn
Purple haze: Clinging to her toned frame, the plum coloured dress was adorned with streams of shimmering sequins that ran along the bust and full length skirt, twinkling under the lights
Wearing her chestnut coloured locks loose and poker straight, she styled her glossy bob in a side parting, framing her heart-shaped face which bore a neutral make-up palette.
Accentuating her stunning features, she lined her hazel coloured eyes with a slick of mascara whilst she covered her plump pout with a nude gloss.
Keeping the focus on her gown, she opted to keep her accessories simple, just wearing a pair of violet hued chandelier style earrings.
Flower power: Laura Carmichael also put on a dazzling display in a chiffon floral gown that nipped in at her tiny waist
Hello petal! Vintage in design, the floor length frock featured layers of ruffles on the hem, sheathing her lithe frame
Meanwhile, Laura Carmichael also put on a dazzling display in a chiffon floral gown that nipped in at her tiny waist before flaring out to full length.
Vintage in design, the floor length frock featured layers of ruffles on the hem, sheathing her lithe frame.
With a high neckline and billowing sleeves she dazzled whilst keeping her toned physique concealed beneath the billowing folds of fabric.
The look of love: Kit Harington and Game Of Thrones co-star Rose Leslie made their red carpet debut as a couple, having previously confined their relationship to low-key outings
Thespians: Dame Judi Dench made a welcome arrival to the red carpet alongside Kenneth Branagh before cosying up to iconic singer and theatre lover Cyndi Lauper, who sported bubblegum pink locks
During the awards, which will be aired on ITV, Jack Savoretti will give a special performance to mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, whilst casts from Bugsy Malone, Guys And Dolls, Bend It Like Beckham, In The Heights, Kinky Boots, Mrs Henderson Presents and Seven Brides will also perform
Prestigious theatre star Michael Ball will oversee the performances as host for the evening and set the tone for the evening as he took to the stage in a pair of red, patent leather high heel boots.
He joked: 'Why wasn't I cast in Kinky Boots, Nell Gwynn or Gypsy? Tonight I think I've got to prove I've been overlooked.'
He then joined best actor in a musical nominees Matt Henry and Killian Donnelly and the cast of Kinky Boots as they kicked off a performance from the show.
Great dames! Shirley Bassey complemented Judi Dench on the red carpet as they both opted for black and gold designs
Ladies night: (L-R) Ava West, Arlene Phillips, Zoe Wanamaker and Beverley Knight attended the ceremony in style
Stunning in silver: Emma Williams turned heads in a silver gown with a dramatic ruffled train that followed her as she walked
Oscar winner Mark Rylance also kicked off the red carpet in style as he arrived wearing one of his trademark trilbies.
The actor will go head to head with Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch at the awards, which is considered the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar.
Both actors are nominated in the best actor category alongside Sir Kenneth Branagh for The Winter's Tale, Adrian Lester for Red Velvet and Kenneth Cranham for The Father.
This is Benedict's first nomination, while Rylance has been nominated eight times and won twice.
Here come the girls! Fresh Meat star Zawe Ashton dazzled in ruffled cream gown, whilst EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas opted for a risque backless gown with delicate gold chains holding the garment together. Glee's Amber Riley also dazzled in a plunging black gown
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey star Jim Carter said he was 'very proud' of his wife, actress Imelda Staunton, who has earned her eleventh Olivier nomination for her role in Gypsy.
Musical revival Gypsy is leading the way at the awards this year, with eight nominations overall.
Jim said: 'It was a tremendous production, a wonderful show and I'm very proud of Imelda.'
Asked what it would mean if she won, he said: 'It'd be nice, I mean it means more that she was good in the show.'
Cute couples: Brian May cosied up to wife Anita Dobson, whilst Adrian Lester also kept close to his wife Lolita Chakrabarti
Singer Jack Savoretti was also feeling emotional as he discussed his performance later this evening, which will see him deliver Sonnet 18 to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
He said: 'I genuinely have fear going through my blood and my bones.
'I've never stood in the presence of so many talented, hard-working actors and musicians and singers, so you can't slip anything by this crowd, you have to get it right.'
With the band: Laura Carmichael, Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton made for an unstoppable fashion force on the red carpet whilst Mark Rylance cut a dapper figure in his signature hat as he was flanked by his wife Juliet and Claire Van Kampen
The golden touch: Dame Shirley was her typical effervescent self as she cosied up to Amber Riley and Sir Lenny Henry
Amber Riley also graced the red carpet as she revealed her excitement at moving to London in the upcoming months.
Best known for playing Mercedes Jones in hit American TV series Glee, she will be taking on the lead role in the West End production of Dreamgirls.
She told Press Association: 'I think being on the West End and being able to revive such an amazing show is a tremendous honour. I love a good challenge and I'm really excited to do it.'
Encore! Jerry Mitchell collected the Best Costume Design award on behalf of Gregg Barnes for Kinky Boots, Anna Fleischle won the Blue-i theatre technology award for best set design award for Hangmen and Dominic Cooke scooped Best Revival for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Getting cosy: Jessie Buckley seemed to be enjoying the evening alongside David Gandy whilst Tom Gibbons - winner of the Best Sound Design award for People, Places and Things - celebrated with presenters Noma Dumezweni and Stephen Campbell Moore
Sherlock creator Mark Gatiss won the first big award of the evening as he was named best actor in a supporting role for Three Days In The Country.
Mark said: 'I'm absolutely overwhelmed, I can't tell you what this means to me. It was an amazing performance and a gift of a part. I'm thrilled to bits, thank you very much.'
Meanwhile, Gypsy also scooped its first award for best lighting design, which was awarded to Mark Henderson and was presented by Harry Potter And The Cursed Child actress Noma Dumezweni and The History Boys star Stephen Campbell Moore.
Black or bold: (L-R) Juliet Stephenson, Denise Gough, Ruthie Henshall and Tracie Bennett
Double trouble: Rory Kinnear kept an arm around his long-term partner Pandora Colin who dazzled in a gold sequinned mini dress that hugged her hourglass frame, whilst Daniel Boys walked the red carpet with Carrie Hope Fletcher who looked pretty in pink
Dame Judi Dench also walked away with Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Winter's Tale, but joked she was 'livid' as her win meant she had lost a bet with her grandson.
The veteran actress was presented with her award by The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time star Luke Treadaway.
She said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm absolutely livid as I had a bet with my grandson ... and I'm never going to be able to forget it.'
She praised 'a really fantastic company and crew and stage management', saying of the award: 'It's lovely to have, but in actual fact it belongs to all those people just as much as it belongs to me.'
Green with envy! Raza Jaffrey snuggled up to Lara Pulver who dazzled in a jade gown that flashed a hint of her impressive cleavage, whilst suited and booted Kenneth Cranham also seemed to be enjoying the night with his guest
Oscar-winner Mark Rylance lost out on winning another big award as Kenneth Cranham took home the best actor award for The Father.
A tearful Kenneth thanked his fellow cast members and the play's director James Macdonald.
'He's a wonderful director, very kind, he's very perceptive and he let's you find your performance and he directs further on down the line.'
He teared up as he thanked his agent, Stephanie Randall, saying 'the things that's happened to her and the way she's been on this play has been fantastic.'
Here come the boys! (L-R) Matt Henry, Jim Carter, Tom Sturridge and James Norton looked dapper on the red carpet
Denise Gough used her best actress win for People, Places And Things to register her concern that none of the actresses nominated in her category were ethnic minorities.
After accepting the award from James Norton, she said: 'Okay I've got 40 seconds so I've got to be quick. This is for my people, you all know who you are.'
She then said she she was 'just a bit disappointed' that, in a year marked by widespread uproar about the lack of diversity at awards shows, she was 'sad' about the lack of diversity among the nominees in her own category.
She added: 'I'm taking Noma Dumezweni and Marianne Jean-Baptiste with me.'
Party time: Sherlock creator Mark Gatiss (L) was named best actor in a supporting role for Three Days In The Country and celebrated with co-star Lesley Manville, whilst Kasper Holten picked up the award for Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci for Best New Opera Production
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3521707/Gemma-Arteton-Laura-Carmichael-lead-glamour-Olivier-Awards.html#ixzz44npXja5B
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