Connie Fisher shared another best newcomer award last week

The Welsh actress, who made her West End debut in the show, has been named London newcomer of the year at the Theatregoers' Choice Awards.

Last week she received a similar honour from the London Critics' Circle.

Dame Judi Dench was named best actress, while Kevin Spacey has won best actor for the second year in a row.

Wicked has been named best new musical, one of four prizes given to the Wizard of Oz inspired stage show.

More than 12,000 theatregoers voted in the awards, organised by the Whatsonstage.com website.

'Gratifying'

Spacey, who won last year for playing Shakespeare's Richard II at the Old Vic theatre, said it was "very gratifying" to be honoured for his performance in Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten.

Kevin Spacey is artistic director of the Old Vic theatre

"To receive this just before we set off for New York is just wonderful," he said.

Dame Judi, recognised for her role in Noel Coward's Hay Fever, said she was "delighted to win this award, particularly as it's given by theatregoers".

The audience, she continued, "is, after all, who we do it for".

Other recipients include Tim Curry, honoured for his performance in Monty Python musical Spamalot, and Patrick Stewart, award for his one-man rendition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.