Harry Potter wins best play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won best play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, with Ralph Fiennes and Billie Piper scooping the big acting prizes

The hit production is a sequel to JK Rowling's books and was co-written by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany.

It beat Annie Baker's The Flick and Suzan-Lori Parks' Father Comes Home From The Wars.

The Cursed Child was up for three gongs but Anthony Boyle, who plays Draco Malfoy's son Scorpius, lost out in the emerging talent category

A scene from the Cursed Child. Pic: Manuel Harlan

John Tiffany was also beaten to best director by Hollywood star John Malkovich, who took home the award for his theatre debut Good Canary.

Malkovich's play follows a novelist's struggle with illness and marriage while on the verge of signing a multi-million-dollar publishing deal.

John Malkovich won for his theatre directing debut Good Canary

Ralph Fiennes took home best actor for both The Master Builder and Richard III

The winners were announced at a ceremony at London's Old Vic Theatre by Rob Brydon, Sir Elton John and the Evening Standard's owner, Evgeny Lebedev.

Thirteen awards were handed out "recognising excellence in theatre and beyond over the last year".

Oscar-winning actor Ralph Fiennes took home best actor for both The Master Builder and his depiction of William Shakespeare's tormented king Richard III.

Fiennes beat off competition from Ian McKellen, Kenneth Branagh, James McArdle and O-T Fagbenle

Billie Piper was named best actress for Federico Garcia Lorca's Yerma

Billie Piper was named best actress for her part in Yerma, triumphing over Noma Dumezweni, Helen McCrory and Sophie Melville.

The Duke of Cambridge also presented an award to Sir David Attenborough for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

"The recipient of this award is a man who has shaped the culture of this country and the way we look at the world," said Prince William.

"Back in the 1950s he revolutionised the making of natural history programmes for television, but he is best known as a presenter of nature documentaries and as a conservationist, whose memorable romps with gorillas go hand in hand with a deep concern for the natural world."

The Duke of Cambridge presented Sir David Attenborough's award

Sir David received a standing ovation and cheers when he went up to collect his award.

He thanked the people he works with on the ground-breaking documentaries: "In recent years it has become the fashion to do the last minutes of a wildlife show by showing how the programmes are made - and not before time," Sir David said.

"At last you can see the credit for those kind of programmes," he added.

Full list of winners

:: Best actor
Ralph Fiennes, The Master Builder

:: Best actress
Billie Piper, Yerma

:: Best play
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

:: Best musical performance
Glenn Close, Sunset Boulevard

:: Best musical
Jesus Christ Superstar

:: Best director
John Malkovich, Good Canary

:: Best revival
No Man's Land

:: Best design
Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin, The Encounter

:: Most promising talent
Charlene James, Cuttin' It

:: Emerging talent
Tyrone Huntley, Jesus Christ Superstar

:: Beyond theatre award
Sir David Attenborough

:: Editors's award
Good Chance Theatre

:: Lebedev award
Sir Kenneth Branagh