The History Boys won critics' praise in London before its New York run

Richard Griffiths was named best actor and Nicholas Hytner best director. There were further acting awards for Samuel Barnett and Frances de la Tour.

The play follows a group of schoolboys trying to get into Oxford or Cambridge.

The Drowsy Chaperone won seven Drama Desks, including best musical. The Drama Desk is an organisation of theatre journalists and critics.

The History Boys is partly based upon Bennett's experiences as a teacher.

It started out at the National Theatre in London, where Hytner is artistic director, and won best play at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and best new play at the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards.

The US production was named play of the year by New York Drama Critics' Circle, and has seven nominations including best play for next month's Tony Awards.