Harry Potter And The Cursed Child had the magic touch at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards where it was named best play.

The sequel to JK Rowling's books, which was co-written by Jack Thorne, Rowling and John Tiffany, beat Annie Baker's The Flick at the National Theatre and Suzan-Lori Parks' Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1,2 & 3) at the Royal Court.

Ralph Fiennes was named best actor for his performances in both The Master Builder and Richard III, while Billie Piper scored the Natasha Richardson award for best actress for Yerma at the Young Vic.

Rob Brydon speaking during The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards held at the Old Vic Theatre (Stuart C. Wilson/PA)

The prizes were handed out in a ceremony presented by Rob Brydon at London's Old Vic Theatre in front of a star-studded audience that included Mark Rylance, James McAvoy, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Joan Collins.

The Duke of Cambridge presented the Beyond Theatre award, the first prize of the evening, to Sir David Attenborough for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting, while Sir Kenneth Branagh took home the Lebedev Award for his season of productions at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End.

The Good Chance Theatre in Calais, which was founded by British playwrights Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, was recognised with the Editor's Award.

Glenn Close's role in Sunset Boulevard was named best musical performance, defeating Sheridan Smith's turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Andy Karl in Groundhog Day.

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar triumphed in the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for best musical category, beating Funny Girl, Groundhog Day, Guys And Dolls, Our Ladies Of Perpetual Succour and Sunset Boulevard.

The show's star, Tyrone Huntley, was presented with the emerging talent award.

Hollywood star John Malkovich took home the Milton Shulman award for best director for his production of Good Canary at the Rose Kingston, beating Tiffany for his direction of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre and Dominic Cooke for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the National Theatre.

Director Sean Mathias's production of Harold Pinter's play No Man's Land at the Wyndham's theatre, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, was named best revival.

The Charles Wintour award for most promising playwright went to Charlene James for her work Cuttin' It and the best design prize went to Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin for their sound design on The Encounter.

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016: The winners

Best Actor

Ralph Fiennes, The Master Builder (Old Vic) & Richard III (Almeida)

Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Billie Piper, Yerma (Young Vic)

Best Play with Hiscox, Official Arts Partner

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, co-written by Jack Thorne, JK Rowling & John Tiffany (Palace)

Best Musical Performance

Glenn Close, Sunset Boulevard (Coliseum)

Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical

Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Milton Shulman Award for Best Director

John Malkovich, Good Canary (Rose Kingston)

Best Revival

No Man's Land, Wyndham’s (dir Sean Mathias)

Best Design

Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin (sound design), The Encounter (Complicite/Edinburgh International Festival/Barbican)

Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright

Charlene James, Cuttin’ It (Young Vic/Royal Court)

Emerging Talent Award in Partnership with Burberry

Tyrone Huntley, Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)

Beyond Theatre Award

Sir David Attenborough for his contribution to broadcasting

Editor's Award

Good Chance Theatre

Lebedev Award

Sir Kenneth Branagh for his plays at the Garrick