Kevin Spacey was honoured with a special award at last night's (12.04.15) Olivier Awards.

The 'House of Cards' star was presented with the accolade by Dame Judi Dench at the prestigious ceremony - which is sponsored by Mastercard and recognises the best in theatre, dance, opera and ballet - in recognition of his tenure as creative director at London's Old Vic theatre, a position he took on in 2004 and which comes to an end later this year.

Judi said: ''To take the Vic on for 10 years ... he stuck at it and made it the most enormous success.''

Accepting the award, Kevin said: ''I love that theatre more than I can begin to express to you.''

The 55-year-old actor then closed the ceremony by teaming with Beverley Knight for a rendition of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' backed by a choir and orchestra.

Elsewhere at the ceremony, 'Sunny Afternoon' picked up the most prizes, taking home four; including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for its stars John Dalgleish and George McGuire, as well as a special Outstanding Achievement in Music prize for frontman Ray Davies' score.

The rocker said: ''When you write songs you write about people. Without people we have no plays we have no films. People are the source of my material.''

Other winners at the ceremony, which was held at London's Royal Opera House, included Mark Strong, who picked up Best Actor for his portrayal of tragic hero Eddie Carbone in 'A View from the Bridge', and Penelope Wilton, who won Best Actress for 'Taken at Midnight'.

Veteran star Angela Lansbury, 89, felt like a ''million dollars'' after winning her first Olivier, the Best Supporting Actress prize for her role in 'Blithe Spirit', her first West End outing in almost 40 years.

Olivier Awards with MasterCard 2015 selected list of winners:

Best actor:

Mark Strong for 'A View from the Bridge' at Young Vic and Wyndham's Theatre

Best Actress:

Penelope Wilton for 'Taken At Midnight' at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Best Revival:

'A View from the Bridge' at Young Vic and Wyndham's Theatre

Best Director:

Ivo Van Hove for 'A View from the Bridge' at the Young Vic and Wyndham's Theatre

Best New Play:

'King Charles III' at Almeida Theatre and Wyndham's Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role:

Nathaniel Parker for 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up the Bodies' at Aldwych Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:

Angela Lansbury for 'Blithe Spirit' at Gielgud Theatre

Best Actor in a Musical:

John Dagleish for 'Sunny Afternoon' at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical:

Katie Brayben for 'Beautiful - The Carole King Musical' at Aldwych Theatre

Best New Musical:

'Sunny Afternoon' at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Music:

Ray Davies for 'Sunny Afternoon' at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

George Maguire for 'Sunny Afternoon' at Hampstead Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical:

Lorna Want for 'Beautiful - The Carole King Musical' at Aldwych Theatre

This Morning Audience Award:

'Wicked' at Apollo Victoria Theatre

Best New Comedy:

'The Play That Goes Wrong' at Duchess Theatre

Best Musical Revival:

City of Angels at Donmar Warehouse

Special awards:

Kevin Spacey and Sylvie Guillem