Amelia Bullmore, Amanda Root, Paul Ritter, Jessica Hynes and Ben Miles. Amanda Root and Paul Ritter Photos Photos - Cast of the "Norman Conquests" Ben Miles, Stephen Mangan, Jessica Hynes, Paul Ritter, Amelia Bullmore, and Amanda Root pose in the pressroom at … Matthew Warchus directs a cast that includes Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root. 'Billy Elliot' danced away with a host of Tony Awards today, including the title for best musical. The Old Vic brings Alan Ayckbourns comic masterpiece, The Norman Conquests, to the London stage for the first time in 34 years with an outstanding ensemble cast: Amelia Bullmore, Jessica Hynes, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miles, Paul Ritter and Amanda Root directed by Matthew Warchus in The Old Vics new reconfigured theatre-in-the-round CQS Space.. Encroaching spinsterhood, a sterile relationship with Tom, and a nonnegotiable commitment to her monstrously selfish mother – have strait-jacketed her. Registered in Ireland: 523712.Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Ian MacNeil (Billy Elliot, The Musical)Best Orchestration: (joint winners) Martin Koch (Billy Elliot, The Musical) and Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal)“We came here at a hard time economically. In The Norman Conquests he demonstrates this ability at full throttle.First produced in 1974, this Chekhovian mix of comedy and pathos offers up pleasure and pain in more or less equal proportions, and, as a comment on middle-class values and mores, it remains unrivalled and unequalled.Though Norman is married to Annie’s testy sister Ruth (Amelia Bullmore), Annie has agreed to go on a dirty weekend to East Grinstead with her brother-in-law.And while all six characters work very much as an ensemble, the two standouts are assistant librarian Norman (Stephen Mangan) and Annie (Jessica Hynes), a spinster who shares the family home with her (unseen) bedridden mother.I saw the last one first and caught the other two at a matinee and evening performance. And we love you for it, thank you.”The story of a schoolboy in a northern mining town who dreams of dancing was the ceremony’s big winner, with its haul reaching double figures.Regional Theatre Tony Award: Signature Theatre, ArlingtonBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish (Billy Elliot, The Musical)The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.God of Carnage, which stars James Gandolfini and Jeff Daniels, picked up the Tony for best play.In a good night for Broadway’s British contingent, Angela Lansbury won the award for best performance by a featured actress in a play – becoming only the second actress in history to win five Tonys.Best Lighting Design of a Play: Brian MacDevitt (Joe Turner’s come and Gone)Elton John missed out on a gong for his role in its success – with the best original score accolade going elsewhere – but was on hand to deliver a message after the show was named best musical.Best Choreography: Peter Darling (Billy Elliot, The Musical)Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Geoffrey Rush (Exit the King)Best Musical: Billy Elliot, The MusicalDavid Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish jointly won the award for best leading actor in a musical.Their co-stars in the Alan Ayckbourn comedy, Paul Ritter and Stephen Mangan, were likewise nominated in the best performance by a featured actor category.Hair won the award for best musical revival.Accepting his award, the director said: “I have been blessed over the majority of the last 10 years of my life putting on the story of Billy Elliot.”The show ran to time, but was not entirely without hitch.Bret Michaels, of rock band Poison, was floored by a descending piece of scenery after performing with the cast of Rock of Ages.Best Direction of a Musical: Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Musical)Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Rick Fisher (Billy Elliot, The Musical)Your Irish Examiner delivered to your doorDaldry’s association with Billy Elliot began almost a decade ago, when he directed the film version of Billy Elliot.She beat off fellow British thespians Jessica Hynes and Amanda Root, both of whom were nominated for The Norman Conquests.Best Scenic Design of a Play: Derek McLane (33 Variations)Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Karen Olivo (West Side Story)'Billy Elliot, The Musical' had been tipped to win big at the awards, and critics were proved to be right.Best Direction of a Play: Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage)Best Costume Design of a Play: Anthony Ward (Mary Stuart)In all, Billy Elliot, The Musical won 10 of the 15 categories it was nominated in.Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Alice Ripley (Next to Normal)Best Sound Design of a Play: Gregory Clarke (Equus)In a poignant moment during the proceedings, Natasha Richardson was singled out during the award ceremony’s In Memoriam section.Best Special Theatrical Event: Liza’s at the Palace'Billy Elliot' danced away with a host of Tony Awards today, including the title for best musical.Alongside being named best musical, there was also success for Billy Elliot’s three rotating young stars.Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Roger Robinson (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone)Best Costume Design of a Musical: Tim Hatley (Shrek The Musical)The Norman Conquest did, however take home the title of best revival of a play.Warchus was nominated twice as best director of a play, for The Norman Conquests and the winning God of Carnage.Tony Honours for Excellence in the Theatre: Shirley HerzHelping accept the award at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, Elton John said: “Thank you for accepting us so beautifully on Broadway.But they missed out to Roger Robinson who won for his performance in Joe Turner’s Come and GoneAccepting the honour, the 83-year-old said: “This is amazing, oh my God.
Date: 2009-07-19.