It's Britain's night to shine at the Tonys

There's no stopping a pool of British talents to clinch major theatrical badges.



The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more widely known as the Tonys, has long been recognising accomplishments in American theater. However, in this year's 64th celebration, it's the Britons night to shine as they troop down the red carpet to dominate the night.



Catherine Zeta Jones, one of UK's prominent actresses, made it to the headlines of various media when she bagged the best actress award for her performance in the musical, Little Night of Music. Receiving a recognition for a debut Broadway performance left this Welsh actress gaping and running up the the Tonys stage in surprise, wondering how Cinderella even managed to run in a gown while wearing glass slippers. She made the evening even more memorable when she spotted her spouse Michael Douglas among the spectators and burst out: That's my man, he's a movie star and I get to sleep with him every night!.



But the brightest star that outshone them all was the much acclaimed play, Red, which apparently dominated the night, sweeping a total of six Tonys from the seven categories that it had been nominated. This sort of triumph was undoubtedly an effect of not only the prowess of all the people behind the play, but also of the genius of a man whom the play was about in the first place.

Back in May 2007, Mark Rothko's 1950 painting entitled White Center ended up selling for $72.8 million dollars at Sotheby's in New York. It is a huge figure indeed, but the artist is now better remembered for his identity and impact as a definitive figure in the art industry.



Red features the story of an abstract expressionist painter, Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals, and seized prizes for best play, director, supporting actor, set design, sound, and lighting.



This may lead us to think that, if someone is actually considering taking up playwriting, scriptwriting, theatre direction, stage acting or some other aspect of theatre, the Tonys gave out an obvious message: Just see Red.



All in all, it has been an amazing evening for the British talents, and worthy of mention are others who also shared the limelight for the success of Red: Eddie Raymane for being named as best supporting actor in Red, Christopher Oram for winning the best scenic design award, Neil Austin for lighting, Adam Cork for sound, and the American playwright, John Logan, who is also better known for his film script writing for movies like Star Trek: Nemesis and the Aviator, for winning best play.



It sounds as if the Tonys have offered a further note about the what splendid collection of talent Britain has to offer to the world of art, theatre and cinema. London's West End has never been busier and to see how such fantastic work have ultimately made it on the other side, to other audience, is a manifestation showcasing the capacity and love for what we do, in this bit of Island we call home, Great Britain.



Now, we are looking forward for what's in store for us at the next Tonys.



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The writer attends a London film school that offers undergraduate and post graduate courses on screen writing, film and television production, theatre writing, producing, and acting as one premiere film school in UK.