The Olivier Awards -- London's equivalent to the Tony Awards -- were dominated by home-grown winners when the 33rd edition of the kudos unwrapped Sunday night in an event hosted by James Nesbitt at Grosvenor House.

Only one of the top awards went to an American production, as the 2006 Tony best musical champ "Jersey Boys" took the tuner prize. The show, which recounts the story of the Four Seasons using their songs, prevailed against only one other contender -- "Zorro," a telling of the old tale set to the music of the Gipsy Kings.

The 2008 Tony-winning best play "August: Osage County" was bested by Gregory Burke's drama "Black Watch," while its leading lady -- the Tony-winning Deanna Dunagan -- lost to Margaret Tyzack for a revival of "The Chalk Garden." That production of the 1955 Enid Bagnold psychological drama, which also won lighting design, originated at the Donmar Warehouse. That nonprofit theater company swept the play acting honors. Sir Derek Jacobi prevailed for his performance as Malvolio in "Twelfth Night," and Patrick Stewart picked up his third Olivier  -- this one in the supporting race -- for his turn as Claudius opposite David Tennant ("Dr. Who") in the title role of "Hamlet." Tennant was ruled ineligible to compete in the lead race after a back injury meant he missed too many performances.

"Black Watch" was first performed by the National Theatre of Scotland three years ago in Edinburgh but only became eligible to contend at the Oliviers when it was performed at London's Barbican Centre last summer. Likewise, the recent acclaimed New York run is not Tony eligible as it was performed off Broadway. This intense play about a regiment serving in Iraq also won best director (John Tiffany), best choreography (Steven Hoggett) and best sound design (Gareth Fry). However, Tony winner Todd Rosenthal prevailed for his three-story set for "August: Osage County."

Best comedy went to Yasmina Reza for "God of Carnage," a satire in which the parents are bigger bullies than their children. A Broadway production of the play is previewing now with the opening set for March 22. Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden ("Pollock") and Emmy winner James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos") co-star with Jeff Daniels and Hope Davis. Back in 1998, Reza won the Tony Award for best play for "Art," her first production on Broadway.

The Royal Shakespeare Company took three awards for its ambitious staging of eight plays by the bard under the umbrella title of "The History Cycle." It won for best company performance, play revival and costume design. William Shakespeare surveyed a century of British history beginning with the majesty of "Richard II" and ending with the tragedy of "Richard III."

The musical revival winner was "La Cage Aux Folles," and Douglas Hodge took top honors in the role of the cross-dressing Albin. That star turn won George Hearn his first Tony Award back in 1984. Elena Rogers won best actress in a musical for her performance as fallen French chanteuse Edith Piaf in a revival of "Piaf." At the 1981 Tony Awards, Jane LaPotaire competed on the play side in this part and prevailed over two two-time Oscar winners -- Elizabeth Taylor making her Broadway debut in "The Little Foxes" and Glenda Jackson for "Rose." The supporting musical winner was Lesli Margherita for "Zorro"

Unlike the Tony Awards -- with several dozen members of a committee setting the slate and then almost 700 voters choosing the champs -- the Olivier Awards nominees are decided on by the membership of the Society of London Theatres as a whole, while the winners are determined by five theater professionals and eight members of the public.

For the complete list of winners, visit the Official London Theatre Guide website.

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Photo: Barbican Centre

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