Now in their 18th year, these awards aim to encourage young talent and creative new work as well as recognising distinction in theatre, opera and dance. There are 24 categories, including the BBC Award for Best Play, for which four plays - Arcadia, Oleanna, Perestroika and The Last Yankee have been nominated. The winners in each category will be chosen by a panel that comprises members of the public and critics.

Among the stars presenting tonight's awards at the London Palladium are Alan Bates , John Hurt , Felicity Kendal , Helen Mirren , Jonathan Price and Richard Wilson. And of course there will be excerpts from some London theatre successes, including Sweeney Todd, Romeo and Juliet, Piaf and Sunset Boulevard.