The award was accepted by Catherine Schreiber, who co-produced the London run with the Young Vic. The Almeida Theatre took three awards for its production of Lucy Kirkwood's Chimerica, which was named Best New Play and additionally took awards for its director Lyndsey Turner and designer Es Devlin. The production transferred to the West End's Pinter Theatre last summer after opening originally at the Almeida.

The awards were amongst ten presented in the 25th anniversary of the ceremony, hosted by Mark Shenton, chairman of the Critics' Circle and Playbill.com's London correspondent.

The awards are presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, entertainment industry specialists; and supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres.

The full list of winners follows:

Most Promising Playwright
Presented jointly to Phoebe Waller-Bridge for Fleabag (Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Soho Theatre, London)
and
Rory Kinnear for The Herd (Bush Theatre, London) The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer [other than a playwright]
Kate O’Flynn in Port (Lyttelton Theatre at the National, London)

Best Designer
Es Devlin for Chimerica, (Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Harold Pinter Theatre, London)

Best Director
Lyndsey Turner for Chimerica (Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Harold Pinter Theatre, London)

The John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance
Rory Kinnear in Othello (Olivier Theatre at the National, London)

Best Actress
Lesley Manville in Ghosts (Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Trafalgar Studios, London)

Best Actor
Lenny Henry in Fences (Theatre Royal Bath and tour, followed by transfer to Duchess Theatre, London)

The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical [new or revival]
The Scottsboro Boys (Young Vic Theatre, London)

Best New Play
Chimerica, by Lucy Kirkwood (Almeida Theatre, London, followed by transfer to Harold Pinter Theatre, London)