Mark Strong, Antony Sher and Patsy Ferran attend Critics' Circle Awards

Artistic director David Lan joined A View from the Bridge cast members including Mark Strong as Young Vic celebrated a double win at today's Critics' Circle Theatre Awards.

Also in attendance were Patsy Ferran and Barney Norris, who picked up Most Promising Newcomer and Playwright respectively.

Talking about the award Ferran, who is currently appearing in Treasure Island at the National Theatre, told WhatsOnStage: "I try not to [read reviews] because I do feel either way it affects what you do, but I've learnt it is almost unavoidable. Thankfully, this time around, it's been positive."

On his award-winning play Visitors, Norris said: "We set up a company [Up in Arms] because no-one was interested and no-one was replying [to emails]. Every theatre in London and the South West rejected Visitors. Then the Arcola gave us a chance because of projects we've done with them [with Out of Joint]. So it's just slow but we came through in the end. There was a few horrible nights, you've got to keep your blood sugar up and never make decisions in the afternoon, because your blood sugar drops."

Antony Sher picked up the award for Best Shakespearean Performance for his turn as Falstaff in Henry IV Parts I & II at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He credited his partner, RSC artistic director Gregory Doran, for suggesting him for a role for which he wasn't "obvious casting".

Ultimate hat-tip of the afternoon has to go to Dominic Cavendish of the Daily Telegraph who presented the award for Best New Play to Mike Bartlett for King Charles III, in full iambic pentameter.