Soulpepper’s production of Of Human Bondage was the big winner at the Dora Mavor Moore Awards celebrating Toronto theatre last night.

The play is based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel. It won seven awards, including best production, and best direction by Albert Schultz, and best new play by Governor-General award-winner Vern Thiessen. Thiessen says he was first drawn to the novel after seeing the 1934 film version that made Bette Davis a star. It prompted him to re-read the novel, then discovered it had never been adapted as a play. A two-year negotiation for the rights was successful, and Thiessen’s adaptation was presented in the spring.

The Canadian Stage production of London Road received six awards in the musical theatre division, including best production, best ensemble and best direction by Jackie Maxwell.

In the Opera division, Sondra Radvanovsky won a Dora for her riveting performance as Queen Elizabeth in the Canadian Opera Company’s Roberto Devereaux. It was also named best opera production.