Nicole Scherzinger, Jenna Coleman, Hayley Atwell, and Ruth Wilson led the glamorous stars at the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at London’s swanky Claridge’s Hotel on Sunday.
With the former Pussycat Doll, 45, honoured with the Best Musical Perfomance trophy for her showstopping turn in West End Musical Sunset Boulevard.
Nicole looked nothing short of sensational in a black sequinned gown with lace overlay hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and dazzled beneath the lights.
Nicole Scherzinger, Jenna Coleman, Hayley Atwell, and Ruth Wilson led the glamorous stars at the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at London’s swanky Claridge’s Hotel on Sunday.
With the former Pussycat Doll, 45, honoured with the Best Musical Perfomance trophy for her showstopping turn in West End Musical Sunset Boulevard.
Nicole looked nothing short of sensational in a black sequinned gown with lace overlay hugged every inch of her jaw-dropping figure and dazzled beneath the lights.
Her gorgeous frock boasted a high neck and gold clasps, with Jenna forgoing jewellery to let the outfit speak for itself opting instead for simple earrings and styling her glossy locks in a 1960s inspired flick.
Elsewhere Mission Impossible actress Hayley, 41, put on a very busty display in a plunging back gownwith long and dramatic cape like sleeves.
The figure-hugging frock accentuated her curves and Hayley added a pop of colour to the ensemble with a pair of hot pink stiletto heels.
She added a little extra glamour with a selection of jewellery including a huge diamond ring, after becoming engaged to Ned Wolfgang Kelly earlier this year.
Zawe Ashton, 39, made her own very stylish arrival on the red carpetalongside fiancé and Loki star Tom Hiddleston, 42, with whom she welcomed a child in October 2022.
The beauty wore an eye-catching navy blue sequinned maxi dress for the occasion complete with elegant cape that also boasted silver embellishments on the neckline.
Elsewhere on the red carpet Ruth Wilson, 41, looked nothing short of sensational in a black sheer top with high-waisted skirt that teased a glimpse of her toned legs via a thigh-high split.
The actress slicked back her dark tresses into a chic chignon, adding extra height to her frame with platform heels and accessorising with a simple clutch.
Marvel star Tom didn’t disappoint and was suited and booted in a green double-breasted velvet tuxedo jacket which he layered over a crisp white shirt and black dickie bow.
He also donned a pair of smart black trousers and shiny dress shoes as he proudly cuddled up to stunning fiancée Zawe.
The Evening Standard Theatre Awards were established in 1955, making them the oldest theatrical awards ceremony in the UK.
They event, which is organised by The Evening Standard Newspaper, annually celebrate achievements in London Theatre and this year was hosted by Sir Ian McKellen.
Publisher Lord Lebedev said: ‘The Evening Standard is proud to celebrate the incredible creatives who, in such difficult times, have continued to dazzle on stage and create magic behind the scenes. The Evening Stand Awards are part of London’s heritage, and this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be one of our most special yet.’
This year’s nominations include big names like Paul Mescal for his performance in A Streetcar Named Desire up for best actor only to be pipped to the post by Andrew Scott for his one-man show Vanya.
Nicole’s new role marks her return to the stage, eight years after she was nominated for an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Grizabella in Cats.
And her musical comeback has been heralded a success by Daily Mail reviewer Luke Jones who gave her a five star review.
It said: ‘The classically romantic score remains, melting over a slightly clunky plot about a reclusive, deluded silent movie star who ensnares a young writer called Joe, so he can polish her comeback screenplay. Over the course of two-and-a-half hours she loses her marbles, and he loses his life.
‘Director Jamie Lloyd, who’s been toiling at his stripped-back and moody style of revival for years, has finally hit the sweet spot. No lavish costumes, no intricate set. Just live camera work, a ferociously big star, and an even bigger band.
‘The lighting is almost exclusively bright white, which designer Jack Knowles harnesses in the most magical way. It pulsates, hides and reveals, using the thick stage mist.
‘Dominating the view, though, is an enormous screen, giving us haunting, live close-up shots of the actors in front of us… melodramatic glances, fluttering lashes and big bulbous tears. Scherzinger even delivers a pouty over-the-shoulder look right down the barrel.
‘It’s a perfect marriage of psychological trauma and camp. Think Pinter, with a bouncy brass section and expressive dance. Or opera, if it were watchable. Norma’s dramatics are put in what feels like a real world.
‘Scherzinger will rightly get a low-loader full of awards, but so too should her co-star Tom Francis, as poor Joe. Both are vocally flawless. Both deftly balance the histrionic and the genuinely heartbreaking, the playful and raw.
‘They take their bows dripping in fake blood and genuine, hard-earned sweat.
‘Nicole Scherzinger nails it from the off. Any doubts I had about a Pussycat Doll playing Hollywood’s answer to Miss Havisham were banished pronto.
‘The early tune, With One Look, sees Scherzinger, as the mighty Norma Desmond, rip off her sunglasses and, in a tornado of stage haze and white-hot spotlights, roar an ear-popping showstopper.
‘The room leaped to its feet. Fading pop star becomes fading film icon, to dramatic perfection! I gasped – losing a full mouthful of gin and tonic to my shirt.