‘Hamilton’ Wins Big at Olivier Awards, Taking 7 Trophies

LONDON — "Hamilton,” the historical hip-hop musical about the United States’ first Treasury secretary, dominated the Olivier Awards on Sunday night, scooping up seven trophies at the British equivalent of the Tony Awards.

The trophies for the show, which opened in London in December, included best new musical; best sound design; best lighting; and best theater choreographer.

Giles Terera, who plays Alexander Hamilton’s nemesis, Aaron Burr, won best actor in a musical; he was up against Jamael Westman, who plays the musical’s title role. Michael Jibson was named best actor in a supporting role in a musical for his portrayal of King George III.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical’s creator and composer-lyricist, was also awarded an honor for outstanding achievement in music. He shared the award with Alex Lacamoire, the show’s orchestrator. Lacamoire accepted the award on behalf of both, as Miranda was unable to attend to the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall because of illness.

When “Hamilton” opened in London, The New York Times co-chief theater critic Ben Brantley wrote that it “can make a traitor of any English citizen for a night.” The show won 11 Tony Awards in 2016, including Broadway’s highest accolade, best new musical.

Though nominated for a record-breaking 13 awards, the show was unable to take the title of most-decorated production at the Oliviers: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” won nine awards last year. “Hamilton” now ties with “Matilda the Musical” for the highest number of awards for a musical.

Another big winner of the night was Jez Butterworth’s “The Ferryman,” which picked up three awards. The production, set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, as the sectarian conflict is known, won best new play; best director for Sam Mendes; and best actress for Laura Donnelly.

The best actor award went to Bryan Cranston for his portrayal of the news anchorman Howard Beale in the stage adaptation of “Network.” It was also a good night for the National Theater, which staged “Network.” Productions at the publicly funded arts venue won four additional awards, including best revival for its production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies,” and best actress in a supporting role for Denise Gough in “Angels in America.”