harry 5© Photo: Rex

Olivier awards 2017: Billie Piper gives emotional acceptance speech, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child breaks records

April 10, 2017

The Olivier Awards took place on Sunday night, and the most prestigious night in British theatre saw Billie Piper win Best Actress for her role in Yerma, while the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child smashed records by winning an incredible nine awards. Billie was in tears while accepting her award, and spoke to Press Association about the achievement. "Before they announced it I couldn't feel my hands and feet. The competition is so tasty and you never know which way it's going to go, so I didn't want to be presumptuous." She also dedicated the award to her two sons, Eugene and Winston, explaining: "Everything I do, I do it for them."

READ: Billie Piper calls for female Time Lord in Doctor Who: 'It would feel like a snub'

© Photo: Getty Images

Billie was emotional during her speech

Noma Dumezweni, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Hermione in the Cursed Child, also gave a touching speech, and spoke about being a child refugee in the UK. She said: "May 17, 1977, I arrived in this country as a refugee child. My sister and my mother... it is going to be 40 years that we are celebrating being in this country – family, it is all about family, being safe, being in your safe place," adding that the award was "overwhelming and humbling". The popular play also saw Jamie Parker win Best Actor for his role as Harry Potter and Best Supporting Actor for Anthony Boyle, who played Scorpius Malfoy, as well as the much coveted Best Play award. The play triumphed in several other categories, including Best Director, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Best Costume and Best Set Design.

© Photo: Rex

Jamie Parker won for his role as Harry Potter

First look: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast photos released

Meanwhile, Tim Minchin's musical Groundhog Dog was lauded in the musical categories, and received the awards for Best New Musical and Best Actor in a musical to Andy Karl, while Glee star Amber Riley picked up Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Dreamgirls.

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