Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield bring star power to this year's ceremony

A host of A-list stars descended on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for the annual event
Jennifer Ruby4 December 2017
The Weekender

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Cate Blanchett, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield were among the A-list stars to walk the red carpet at this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

Oscar-winner Blanchett, who is co-hosting the annual ceremony alongside Anna Wintour, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Evening Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev, led the big-name arrivals at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday evening.

"It’s an honour, with Lin-Manuel and Anna Wintour, it’s fantastic,” she told London Live at the event.

“Obviously these things are always subjective and there are so many more people you feel could be nominated but the nominees for Best Actress tonight in particular are extraordinary.”

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017 Red Carpet - In pictures

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They were joined on the red carpet by a roll call of this year’s finest stars of the stage and screen including Ruth Negga, Annabelle Wallis, Cressida Bonas, Ellie Bamber, Billie Piper, Jon Hamm, Christian Slater, Cush Jumbo and Andrew Scott.

Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge acts as ceremony host this year, celebrating a sterling year of London theatre, following in the footsteps of last year’s host Rob Brydon.

Glamour: A-lister Keira Knightley arrives on the red carpet
Dave Benett

“I’m really excited, I’ve never done anything like this before so it’s going to be a new experience,” she told London Live on the red carpet.

“I’ll be doing a little charming roast but mostly it’s just celebrating everyone.”

Game of Thrones star Charlotte Hope, who appeared in Albion at the Almeida, brought a touch of glamour to proceedings in a strapless white gown, as did Jumbo in a metallic dress.

Last year’s winner Piper told London Live: “It feels really nice to be here tonight and just have some dinner and celebrate some good performances and catch up with friends.

“I think being on stage is where I feel most free as an actor and weirdly most comfortable. I also really like staying in on a Saturday night, that’s a pull.”

This year’s shortlist is dominated by Jezz Butterworth’s critically-acclaimed The Ferryman, which is in the running for four gongs: Best Play, Best Director (Sam Mendes), Best Actress (Laura Donnelly) and Best Emerging Talent (Tom Glynn-Carney).

A-list star: Cate Blanchett arrives at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Getty Images

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm said that it felt “amazing” to be at the ceremony: “It’s freezing cold but it’s great to be in the UK during the holiday season. It’s very festive.

“I love coming to see London theatre. I have a couple of friends who are on stage now that I’m hoping to see while I’m here. Bryan [Cranston] is doing Network at the National and Michelle also.

Style icon: Anna Wintour co-hosts this year's awards
Getty Images

“I hope I get to see a couple of plays but I’m working, which is unfortunate.”

Admitting that he was also keen to get on the London stage, Hamm said he was still “looking for the right thing.”

Glenda Jackson and Victoria Hamilton will be going up against Donnelly for the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress.

Over in the Best Actor category, Bertie Carvel has been shortlisted for playing Rupert Murdoch in Ink, while Andrew Scott is recognised for his portrayal of Hamlet, and Andrew Garfield for Angels in America.

Sarah Burton, who designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, will present the award for best design while Butterworth will deliver the Charles Wintour award for most promising playwright.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2017: The shortlist

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