Not such silly Billies...

This is how to celebrate when you've beaten the biggest names in the West End to a prestigious award - and you haven't yet turned 16.

While most theatre award winners sip a glass of champagne, the youngsters who play Billy Elliot in the hit musical reacted to being named joint best actor at the Laurence Olivier Awards by rolling about on the floor.

The award was split between 15-year-olds James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower, 13, who rotate the part between them. They saw off a shortlist which included Ewan McGregor and Douglas Hodge in Guys And Dolls, becoming the youngest winners in the award ceremony's history.

Also joining in the fun was Leon Cooke, 14, who previously played Billy in the Elton John musical. He collected the show's award for best choreographer on behalf of Peter Darling.

Mower, the only Billy to be honoured who is still performing at the Victoria Palace Theatre, said celebrations would be modest. "I'm just going to celebrate quietly with my mum and dad and all the Billy Elliots. We didn't expect it. I'm going to treasure the award, put it on the shelf and keep it for life," he said.

The story of the pit village teenager who dances his way to ballet school also won the best new musical and best sound design awards. Director Stephen Daldry said: "I'm thrilled, delighted and amazed. The show is about the boys and I'm very happy they've been recognised."

Jane Krakowski, best actress in a musical for Guys And Dolls, said: "It's great. They all perform such an incredible feat."

The awards came at the start of a spectacular week of openings. On Tuesday, Sir Ian McKellen opens in The Cut at the Donmar; on Wednesday Jeremy Irons returns to the London stage in a Christopher Hampton adaptation of Embers at the Duke of York's; and on Thursday Robert Altman makes his British theatre directorial debut with Arthur Miller's last play Resurrection Blues.

Read full reviews of each first night in the following day's Evening Standard.