Posted by Adam

Monday February 15, 2010

JUDE Law and Rachel Weisz have been named the Best Actor and Actress in a Play.

The British stars are just two famous names who have been honored at the annual Whatsonstage.com Awards — which is voted for by theatergoers — for their outstanding work on the stage over the last 12 months.

The Oscar-nominated actor received 40 per cent of votes for his portrayal of the title character in the 2009 adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play Hamlet, while Rachel received the prize for her starring role in A Streetcar Named Desire — both produced by the Donmar Warehouse group.

Rachel’s performance also contributed to the production being named the Best Play Revival.

Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart won the Best Supporting Actor in a Play gong for his role as Claudius, in a rival production of Hamlet by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

The 69-year-old actor was also honored alongside his X-Men costar Sir Ian McKellen, for their pairing in Waiting for Godot at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket, which was praised as the Theatre Event of the Year.

A host of celebrities turned up to the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End theater district Sunday night for the 10th anniversary of the annual awards.

Terri Paddock, editorial director of Whatsonstage.com, said, “What a fantastic night, my thanks to all the performers, nominees and, of course, the audience. It’s been wonderful to see such amazing talent get the recognition they deserve – and what could be better than receiving an award chosen for by the ticket-buying public.”

List of Whatsonstage.com Award winners:

Best Actress in a Play:

Rachel Weisz – A Streetcar Named Desire at the Donmar Warehouse

The Capital Breaks Best Actor in a Play:

Jude Law - Hamlet at the Donmar West End at Wyndham’s

Best Supporting Actress in a Play:

Miriam Margolyes – Endgame at the Duchess

Best Supporting Actor in a Play:

Patrick Stewart - Hamlet RSC at the Novello

The Milk Two Sugars Best Takeover in a Role:

John Barrowman - La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse

The Shakespeare 4 Kids Best Shakespearean Production:

Hamlet – RSC at the Novello

The AKA Theatre Event of the Year:

The pairing of Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Tags: awards, jude law, rachel weisz