Former Star Trek star Patrick Stewart fought off competition from Charles Dance to be named as Best Actor for his role in a U.K. production of Macbeth.

The 67-year-old, who his currently appearing on London's West End in the play's title role, received the honour at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards on Monday (26Nov07) in a lavish ceremony at the city's Savoy Hotel.

Stewart scooped the gong ahead of Charles Dance - who was nominated for his role in Shadowlands - and Robert Lindsay, who is currently starring in The Entertainer.

Critics have praised Stewart's performance but the actor came under fire from theatre-goers when he was forced to cancel a performance at the Gielgud Theatre earlier this month (Nov07) after being diagnosed with laryngitis. (LR/WNE/JC)

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