Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes' final series of plays at London's Donmar Warehouse has earned him accolades at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

But actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who won rave reviews for her performance in Proof at the Donmar, lost out on best actress award to Clare Higgins for her role in Vincent in Brixton.

Mendes was named best director for his productions of Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya, which marked his farewell as artistic director after a decade.

Mendes is credited with attracting a host of Hollywood stars to the West End, including Kevin Spacey and Nicole Kidman.

Sam Mendes is dating actress Kate Winslet

Big names from the theatre world turned out for the awards held on Monday at the Savoy Hotel in London.

They included Brenda Blethyn, John Hurt, Jerry Hall and Gillian Anderson who is appearing in What the Night is For at the Comedy theatre.

Musical

The Donmar Warehouse triumphed again when Simon Russell Beale was made best actor for his portrayal of Vanya in the Chekhov play, and Malvolio in Twelfth Night.

The stage version of The Full Monty at the Prince of Wales Theatre beat Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's lavish extravaganza Bombay Dreams to the best musical title.

Gillian Anderson is making her West End debut in What the Night is For

Donnie Darko actor Jake Gyllenhall was named outstanding newcomer of the year for his role in This is Our Youth in which he starred opposite Hayden Christensen and Anna Paquin.

The best play award was presented to A Number, written by Caryl Churchill and starring Michael Gambon.

Ian MacNeil won best stage designer for A Number and Plasticine.

Winning debut

Mendes, partner of actress Kate Winslet, won an Evening Standard best director award in 1992 for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which went on to become a successful film.

The 37-year-old is bowing out of the Donmar after directing 70 plays at the 250-seat theatre, but he will continue his association with the theatre under the title founding director.

Clare Higgins trumped Paltrow to win best actress

He recently turned his hand to the movies and picked up a best director Oscar in 2000 for his debut American Beauty.

His second film, Road to Perdition, also received plaudits when it was released in September 2002.

A special theatre award was given out for the Globe Season of Cupid and Psyche 2002.