Stars so bright you gotta wear shades: backstage at the Olivier awards 2025 – in pictures
Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to snap Cate Blanchett, John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, Naomi Campbell and many more
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Heather Agyepong and Benedict Lombe arriving on the green carpet
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Indira Varma (centre) and Lesley Manville, who both played Jocasta in different productions of Oedipus this year, talk to Mark Strong
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Adrien Brody strikes a pose whilst his mother Sylvia shoots from the wings.
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Elliot Levey and John Lithgow who both won awards for their performances as best supporting actor and best actor in Giant.
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Paapa Essiedu, one of the nominees for best actor
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Twiggy, right, and her husband Leigh Lawson greet Elaine Paige
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Ewan McGregor and Tom Burke in the presenters’ room backstage
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Elizabeth Debicki, Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke backstage at the Royal Albert Hall
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Martin Freeman checks out the winner of the award he is about to present
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Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, co-stars in Much Ado About Nothing, presented an award together
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Guests take their seats before the start of the show
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The cast of Fiddler on the Roof wait to perform on stage at the ceremony
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John Dagleish and fellow cast member Jack Quarton prepare backstage for their performance in the curious case of Benjamin Button. Dalgleish went on to win best actor in a musical.
Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
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Jade Marvin from Starlight Express gets her skates on for a special number
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Presenters Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowski who are starring in Here We Are at the National Theatre
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Co-host Beverley Knight backstage
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While fellow host Billy Porter also gets a touchup
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Idris Elba prepares to present an award
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Celia Imrie and Martin Freeman about to take the stage as presenters
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Lesley Manville with her award for best actress
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Corbin Bleu and Samantha Barks practise a routine before co-presenting awards
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Billy Porter and Beverley Knight perform an opening number
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Naomi Campbell prepares to go on stage
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Campbell presented the best costume design and best set design awards
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