Kate Winslet, Damian Lewis, Sheridan Smith, Yasmin Le Bon and stars of Downton Abbey were among the celebrities attending the Book of Mormon press night on Thursday, as the musical made it’s much-anticipated West End debut. Newlywed Kate arrived hand in hand with her husband Ned RocknRoll at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. The actress, who looked chic in a monochrome outfit and bold, black-rimmed glasses, looked happy and relaxed as she chatted to fellow guests before the show.
Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern was spotted walking to the theatre with her daughter, before catching up with her on-screen daughter, Laura Carmichael, who plays Edith Crawley in the hit ITV show. They joined fellow Downton Abbey stars Brendan Coyle, Sophie McSheera and Lesley Nicol. Sheridan Smith was among those raving about the show. “Well @bookofmormonldn is amazing!” she tweeted. “Believe the hype. It lives up to it and much more.”
The show’s creators, Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Bobby Lopez joined director Casey Nicholaw on stage at the end of the show, and were greeted by a standing ovation. The audience were so excited about the musical that they even gave it a rowsing applause as the curtain was being raised at the start of the evening. The broadway version of the Book of Mormon has notched up nine Tony awards as well as a Grammy award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Creators Matt and Trey are best known for creating the American animated sitcom South Park. The Book of Mormon is a satirical musical that tells the story of young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in northern Uganda.