Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: Sheridan Smith, Ruth Wilson and Glenn Close bring star power to this year’s lavish ceremony

Sheridan Smith, Ruth Wilson and Glenn Close were among the big name stars to walk the red carpet at this year’s Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

The ceremony - presented by Rob Brydon and co-hosted by Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev and Sir Elton John - got underway at the Old Vic on Sunday evening.

Sheridan Smith made her big return to the spotlight at the event after being shortlisted in the Best Musical Performance category.

Ellie Bamber, Amber Le Bon and Lily Donaldson also brought a touch of glamour to proceedings in stunning gowns, while the Duke of Cambridge arrived to give the event the royal seal of approval.

A roll call of Britain’s finest acting talent including Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Michael Gambon and Sir Patrick Stewart descended on the London theatre.

“I’m just waiting for one of these blokes to give me a part in one of their plays, where I’m like a butler and I come on every two minutes and don’t know what I’m doing and I don’t speak much” Sir Michael told London Live.

Orlando Bloom walked the red carpet solo as other half Katy Perry is over in the US, arriving fashionably late.

John Malkovich, who will be going up against Dominic Cooke and John Tiffany in the Best Director category, was the first to arrive.

Last year’s Best Actor winner, James McAvoy was on hand to present the award for Best Actress.

Speaking to London Live, he said: "It's a huge honour to come here and help celebrate the work of some incredible actresses so it's nerve-wracking in a different way."

Anthony Boyle, who is up for the Emerging Talent prize for his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, gave a thumbs up as he arrived at the theatre.

This year’s shortlist highlights the best that theatre has to offer in categories including Best Musical Performance, the Milton Shulman Award for Best Director and the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright.

Helen McCrory, Noma Dumezweni, Sophie Melville and Billie Piper are all contending for the Best Actress award while Sir Kenneth Branagh will compete against O-T Fagbenle, James McArdle, Ralph Fiennes and Sir Ian McKellen.