Harry Potter play casts spell at WhatsOnStage awards

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child has continued to sweep UK theatre awards, winning eight categories including best new play.

At the WhatsOnStage awards on Sunday, J K Rowling's West End production was also recognised for best director, actor, supporting actress, supporting actor, set design, lighting design and video design.

The awards, all voted by the public, confirmed Potter's place as last year's most successful play, after winning the prestigious Evening Standard award for best play in November.

Jamie Parker, who picked up the gong for best actor for his portrayal of the boy wizard, said he was "quivering" after beating veteran actors Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Ralph Fiennes.

"This is not my home territory, awards shows - and I've never accepted one before so I've no idea what I said," he said.

"You don't get the luxury of hiding behind someone else's words, or somebody's persona."

The ceremony struck a more political note when Parker described the Potter universe as a "very vital myth" amid turbulent political times in the UK.

"It is to do with letting destructive and traumatising and regressive parts of ourselves die so that we can re-emerge in a more evolved and more mature state - I think we badly need that at the moment," he said.

The play was co-written by Harry Potter author Rowling, who tweeted her congratulations to the winning actors, saying she was "so proud of everyone involved".

Actress Noma Dumezweni, who faced a backlash when she was first cast as a black Hermione Granger, said in light of the "hullaballoo" it was "really sweet" to be recognised by fans of the play.

"When the first previews happened, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced as a theatre actor because of the world of Harry Potter and the world that JK Rowling has created," she said.

The awards were hosted by comedian and actor Vikki Stone and West End star Simon Lipkin.

The award for best actress in a play went to Billie Piper for her critically acclaimed performance in Yerma at the Young Vic.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh was also recognised for his contribution to the industry with a lifetime achievement award, as he enters his 50th year in the business.

"I'm still the same stage struck boy at eight who wanted to be a producer, that started producing exactly 50 years ago this year," he said.

"And I'm still doing it and that's thanks to you, the public."