It’s hard enough getting your hair to stay in place on a normal night, let alone on the night of a major awards ceremony with a hurricane on the way. Just ask the theatre stars at last night’s Laurence Olivier Awards. Sequins flew, barnets faced skywards and gowns flew about ankles… and that was inside the Grosvenor House Hotel, let alone on the red carpet.

Celebrity spotters were in heaven as both the Olivier Award crowd and the Empire Award attendees showed up en masse. Both ceremonies were held at the venue – a good thing too. Best Actor award winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (Othello) had to rush between the two when American Gangster scooped the Best Thriller title. It must be hard being so damn talented. Sir Ian McKellen, Kevin Spacey, Hollyoaks and Sound Of Music starlet Summer Strallen, Barabra Windsor (EastEnders) and James McAvoy and Kelly Osbourne were amongst the attendees.

Our vantage point from backstage was an interesting one. When big, sweaty photographers weren’t in the way, we stole time with the likes of Danny Dyer, Jeff Goldblum, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kristen Scott Thomas, Michael Ball and Tamsin Greig for a chat about the current London Productions that they rate best. You’d be surprised who got tongue-tied and who talked on, and on… and on.

Hairspray may have stormed the award shelf (five out of a record-breaking eleven nominations) but take a look at what the industry people in the know said when we asked for their opinion on the best London show.

Danny Dyer (soon to appear in The Homecoming)

Best production out there at the moment has got to be um… that Cymbeline. I don’t know, I’ll be straight with you; I’m not a theatregoer! I love being in the theatre and I love to show off but I’m not a theatregoer – I’ll be straight with you. I’d say Lord Of The Rings – it’s got to be hasn’t it? I’m a big fan of Lord of the Rings. I’ve not been to see the show but…

When queried about his recent anti-James McAvoy and Orlando Bloom comments, Danny replied:
“I tell you, I have no problems with James McAvoy. He is earning a pound note and he’s cracking right on. Orlando Bloom on the other hand – I’ve got to say – he does drive me mad. I don’t know why. I have never met the man but he couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag! It bugs me a little bit. I don’t know why. It’s a bit of bitterness, a bit if jealousy; he’s earning a pound note and I’m still in the ghetto you know and I’ve been acting for fifteen years.”

Michael Ball – Winner of Best Actor (Hairspray)

“Without a question, it’s Hairspray and I’m not just saying that because I’m in it. I’m saying it because it really is. It’s one of those shows that the audience will come into and leave feeling so much better. They will feel uplifted, thrilled, happy and entertained. That’s what our job is. Also, it’s a brilliant show, it really is. May I say that you are in the spirit of hairspray; loving the frock. ”

Jeff Goldblum (Speed The Plow with Kevin Spacey)

“Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t seen many. I have seen snippets of things advertised. I saw Lord of the Rings, which I enjoyed, and Boeing Boeing and Glengarry Glen Ross. Well, I’m doing Speed-the-Plow and I adore that. The Old Vic. The Old Vic. What a magical place.”

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Best Actor – Othello)
He also won an Empire Award – American Gangster (Best Thriller)

“I saw The Vortext the other night with Dan Stevens and it was so good! Felicity Kendal is wonderful and Pheobe Nicholls. It’s just a really strong company and a very strong play – there’s just no lack of pace… it keeps going and grabs you in.”

“There’s some incredible musical work that’s happening and Hairspray seems to be really exceptional. There was a performance of a section of it tonight and Leanne Jones was just mind-blowing. That seems to be a great ticket.”

Leanne Jones (Best Actress in a Musical – Hairspray)

“Hairspray! There’s been some incredible productions… I’m a huge fan of Parade. I have the original cast album . There’s some great stuff around… I really love Avenue Q as well but I think that at the moment, Hairspray just has such a big heart and such a beautiful story that everyone can relate to.”

Tamsin Greig (Presenter and Best Actress 2007)
Hairspray is really good… yes, I can’t dance though can you? No I can’t dance…

Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lloyd Webber just wanted to talk about the upcoming Phantom Of The Opera II and the recent mix of reality television and musicals.

“One thing that is absolutely obvious five years ago is that everything is changing and that the old way to do things in theatre had to change. I remember when I first said to a couple of people at the BBC about casting the Sound of Music through television. They said Saturday prime time television – musicals? That’s just old fashioned. We don’t do that. We started off in August and suddenly we are taking on X Factor. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

Rae Smith (Best Set Design – War Horse)
(Laughs) “Apart from War Horse and Saint Joan? I’m biased!”

Tom Hiddleston (Best Newcomer in a Play)

“I’d love to say my own – The Vortex at The Apollo. Can I say that? Yes? Then it is!”