The Book of Mormon wins Best New Musical at the Oliviers

Lead star Gavin Creel won Best Actor in a Musical earlier in the ceremony

Stars of The Book of Mormon by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park (Joan Marcus)

The Book of Mormon has won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2014, beating competition from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once and The Scottsboro Boys.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Anne Garefino collected the award from "dynamic" duo Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of ABBA fame.

Olivier Awards: Winners list in full

"I think we can stop wondering if London would embrace us now," said Garefino, who paid tribute to the show's "amazing Mormon family that really is a family".

"I'm genuinely shocked, I hoped we'd get a tip-off but we didn't so we have nothing prepared," added Friedman, who thanked all the producers in America who "trusted the show".

"It's bold, it's audacious, it breaks the rules, it's hysterical and its thanks to the creative team and the extrordinary cast who every night give it 100 per cent," she continued.

"Everytime I go to the back of the stalls it feels like it's the first night."

Earlier in the ceremony, The Book of Mormon's lead star Gavin Creel won the award for Best Actor in a Musical, presented by Robert Lindsay.

Stephen Ashfield triumphed for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, while Casey Nicholaw was awarded Best Theatre Choreographer.

South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone penned the hit production.