Lenny Henry was named best actor at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards in London today just four years after he made the switch from comedy.
He received the accolade for his performance in August Wilson’s play Fences as a dustman who has been battered by life. Henry, 55, won outstanding newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards after his stage debut as Othello.
The theatre critics today handed their best Shakespearean performance award to Rory Kinnear for his Iago in Othello at the National Theatre. Kinnear, 35, also won most promising playwright for his writing debut The Herd, inspired by his experience of living with a disabled sibling. Phoebe Waller-Bridge shared the award with him for her solo show Fleabag.
Lesley Manville, 57, won best actress for her performance in Ghosts, which transferred from the Almeida to the Trafalgar Studios. Lucy Kirkwood’s Chimerica, at the Almeida, won best new play, best director for Lyndsey Turner and design honours for Es Devlin.
The Scottsboro Boys was named best musical for its first British production at the Young Vic.
