Theatergoers honor Tennant

LONDON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- David Tennant's return to the British stage as Hamlet after back surgery has been named the theater event of the year by participants in an online poll.

The BBC said 35,000 people took part in the Whatsonstage.com Theatergoers' Choice Awards survey.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "Hamlet," which transferred to London's West End from Stratford-upon-Avon, also won the best regional production award.

Tennant completed the Stratford-upon-Avon run of the play, but was forced to sit out much of the drama's London run following back surgery. He did return to the role briefly before the show's limited engagement ended, however.

Kenneth Branagh was named best actor in a play for his work in "Ivanov." Katy Stephens won best actress in a play for her performance in "The Histories" and comedian Eddie Izzard best solo performer for his one-man show "Stripped."

U.S. actor Josh Hartnett was named London newcomer of the year for his turn in the stage version of "Rain Man." Tom Hiddleston from "Othello" earned the honor for best supporting actor in a play, while Sophie Thompson won the best supporting actress in a play accolade for "The Female of the Species."

"Jersey Boys" co-stars Ryan Molloy and Stephen Ashfield won the awards for best actor and best supporting actor in a musical respectively.

Sofia Escobar garnered the title of best actress in a musical for her work in "West Side Story" and Tracie Bennett picked up the prize for best supporting actress in a musical for her performance in "La Cage aux Folles," the BBC said.