The stars of the West End came out to celebrate the best of British acting at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards on Sunday night.

Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen were at the Old Vic to present the awards, with a host of film and theatre greats nominated for the top prizes.

Dame Judi, who is currently starring alongside Sir Kenneth Branagh’s in The Winter’s Tale at the Garrick Theatre, said: “These awards are very important. I think our country is wonderful and theatre particularly, and it’s lovely that these things happen.”

Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen with Evgeny Lebedev
Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen with Evgeny Lebedev (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

Sir Ian has been in Los Angeles on the campaign trail for his new film, Mr Holmes.

He said: “This is a celebration and it is lovely. In fact, every night of the year is a celebration of theatre when the crowds come out.”

Nominees included Nicole Kidman, Gemma Arterton and James McAvoy as the actors and actresses packed onto the red carpet despite London’s near-freezing temperatures.

Nicole was nominated for the best actress award, to be presented by Jeremy Irons, for her role as scientist Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51. She was up against Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who played Nell Gwynn at Shakespeare’s Globe, Denise Gough for People, Places And Things and Lia Williams for her role in Oresteia.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman attending the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Nicole Kidman, who stars in Photograph 51, at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

A shivering Nicole said: “I kind of jumped into it (Photograph 51) without realising how much I was taking on so halfway through the rehearsals I got real stage fright. To be standing here today is extraordinary and I am so so glad that I did it.

“I did it for my father, who was a scientist – he has been orbiting around this whole thing – and also for Rosalind, who was not recognised in her lifetime. That has been very very important to me.

“Photograph 51 was written by a female playwright about a female scientist so to be able to champion that was an honour and a privilege.”

Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman said she “jumped” into the scientist role in Photograph 51 (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

In the running for best actor were Simon Russell Beale for his performance in Temple, Kenneth Cranham for The Father, James for The Ruling Class and Ralph Fiennes for Man And Superman.

Ralph was also presenting the Editor’s Award and said he was delighted with the success of Spectre, the latest James Bond film in which he featured, but said he was at the awards not to win but to enjoy the occasion.

“I am just here to see my mates, enjoy a drink and a bite to eat, and to enjoy people coming and going.”

James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Nominee James McAvoy with his actress wife Anne-Marie Duff (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

There to present the best actor award was Gillian Anderson, in a tight red dress, the winner of last year’s best actress for A Streetcar Named Desire.

Meanwhile, Rob Brydon braved the cold to present the ceremony itself, alongside co-host Evgeny Lebedev, the owner of the Evening Standard.

He said: “These awards get a lot of coverage and you need to blow the trumpet so people get to know about it.

“These things need to be pushed so people know what is on and that they can go out and see it.”

Gillian Anderson at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards
Gillian Anderson at the awards hosted at The Ivy (Joel Ryan/Invision/PA)

The awards were in partnership with West End restaurant The Ivy.

Its director, Fernando Peire, said before the event: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with this unrivalled and important awards ceremony to recognise the outstanding talent London has to offer, both from the stage and behind the curtain.”