Eighth Olivier For Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench won a record eighth Olivier for her best supporting actress role in The Winter’s Tale.

21:03 04 April 2016

Dame Judi Dench has won the most number of Oliviers for acting since the awards began 40 years ago. She recently won her latest Olivier for her best supporting actress role in Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s production of The Winter’s Tale. This is her eighth Olivier award.

 

Talking about her award backstage, she said:  "I'm rather overcome. I didn't expect it... it feels terrific." She added that the award was "lovely to have, but in actual fact it belongs to all those people just as much as it belongs to me."

 

She then praised the "really fantastic company and crew and stage management" of the Shakespeare production at the Garrick Theatre.

 

"Everybody says what a wonderful time they have doing something. I can truly say that in the Winter's Tale it was an absolutely memorable family."

 

Meanwhile, the musical Gypsy won the most numbers of award including best actress and best music revival.

 

Best actress Imelda Staunton, who opened the ceremony with a performance of Gypsy’s Everything’s Coming Up Rose, said: "We felt we were doing something special every night and every night we went out and wanted to do a better show than the night before."