Tonys win is all the sweeter for Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Douglas Hodge today triumphed at the Tony Awards — American theatre's equivalent of the Oscars — as Britain once more ran the show on Broadway.

There was also a special tribute to playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, who received a lifetime achievement award, and gongs for two British productions — Red and La Cage Aux Folles.

Zeta-Jones was a first-time nominee and winner, alongside fellow Hollywood stars Denzel Washington and Scarlett Johansson, at the American Theatre Wing's event, which was held at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall.

She won best actress in a musical for her role in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Zeta-Jones thanked many, including her husband, Michael Douglas, who, she quipped, she gets to "sleep with every night".

Her win capped a good few days for the Swansea-born actress, who was appointed a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Hodge, making his Broadway debut at the age of 50, was named best actor in a musical for his role in La Cage Aux Folles, which also won best revival of a musical and best direction of a musical for Terry Johnson.

It cemented a night of successes for the Menier Chocolate Factory, the Southwark playhouse which originated the revival of La Cage in 2007 and also revived A Little Night Music.

Red, John Logan's drama about abstract artist Mark Rothko which began life at the Donmar Warehouse in December, was the biggest winner of the night taking home six Tonys including best play.