Judi Dench is honored during theater awards

Judi Dench, a darling of the British stage and screen for almost a half-century, received a standing ovation as she accepted a special honor to mark the 50th anniversary of the Evening Standard Theater Awards in London.

"I've only been given this award for 47 years of doing a job that I absolutely adore," Dench said Monday. "I didn't set out to be an actress, but I changed my mind and I couldn't be more pleased that I did."

Dench, 70, won an Oscar in 1999 for her role in "Shakespeare in Love."

Playwright Harold Pinter, whose works include "Old Times" and "The Birthday Party," and Britain's National Theater also got special honors.

"The Producers" — which has been a blockbuster hit in New York and recently opened in London — took the prize for best musical of 2004.

Nathan Lane and Lee Evans, who star in the West End version of the Mel Brooks musical, accepted the award on behalf of the show.

Richard Griffiths, the actor who played Uncle Vernon in the "Harry Potter" movies, won the best actor award for his role as a teacher in the play "The History Boys."

Victoria Hamilton was named best actress for her role in "Suddenly Last Summer."

Best director honors went to Rufus Norris for "Festen."