Critics named History Boys star Richard Griffiths (left) best actor

Set in a grammar school, the play also earned a best actor prize for star Richard Griffiths as teacher Hector.

The Producers was named best musical, Victoria Hamilton was best actress for Suddenly Last Summer and Festen's Rufus Norris was named best director.

The History Boys also won the best new comedy title at the Theatregoers' Choice Awards.

Promising newcomers

Partly based upon Alan Bennett's experience as a teacher, The History Boys has been at London's National Theatre since last May.

The Critics' Circle named Rebecca Lenkiewicz its most promising playwright for The Night Season, and Eddie Redmayne most promising newcomer for The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?

US star Christian Slater was named best actor by theatregoers

Paul Rhys was its best Shakespearean performer for Measure for Measure at the National Theatre and Christopher Oram won the design award for Suddenly Last Summer.

Both the Critics' Circle and Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice award winners were announced on Tuesday.

Chosen by more than 11,000 theatre fans, the Theatregoers' Choice Awards named US actor Christian Slater best actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.