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'Billy Elliot' wins 10 Tonys; 'Carnage' best play
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-08 15:54

Geoffrey Rush's extravagant portrait of a dying monarch in "Exit the King" took the top actor prize.

"I want to thank Manhattan audiences for proving that French existential absurdist tragicomedy rocks," Rush said.

'Billy Elliot' wins 10 Tonys; 'Carnage' best play
Actor Geoffrey Rush accepts the award for best performance by a leading actor in a play for "Exit the King" during the 63rd annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 7, 2009. [Agencies]

Angela Lansbury received her fifth Tony, this time for her performance as the dotty medium Madame Arcati in a revival of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit." Her win in the featured-actress category tied the record for acting prizes held by Julie Harris, who has five plus a special lifetime achievement award given in 2002.

"Who would have thought," the 83-year-old Lansbury began, drowned out by a standing ovation. "Who knew that (at) this time in my life that I should be presented with this lovely, lovely award. I feel deeply grateful."

'Billy Elliot' wins 10 Tonys; 'Carnage' best play
Actress Angela Lansbury accepts the Tony for best performance by a featured actress in a play for "Blithe Spirit" at the 63rd annual Tony Awards ceremony in New York, June 7, 2009. [Agencies]