A MUSICAL which used the fictional murder of right wing commentator Katie Hopkins as a plot device has been named Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards.

Theatr Clwyd’s controversial production of The Assassination of Katie Hopkins was handed the award at Sunday's glittering ceremony held at the Guildhall in London and hosted by actor Tyrone Huntley.

The musical, which ran at the Mold-based theatre throughout April this year, beat off strong competition from other nominees Miss Littlewood from the RSC, Pieces of String produced by the Mercury Theatre Colchester and TBO Productions, and the Bolton Octagon’s Summer Holiday.

Written by Chris Bush with music by Matt Winkworth, and directed by James Grieve, the show featured musical supervision from David White and musical direction by Jordan Li-Smith, both originally from Wrexham, and saw Welsh actress Bethzienna Williams make her professional début in one of the leading roles.

The musical, which writers described as being "about truth, celebrity and public outrage", prompted a protest from Ms Hopkins who parked a large truck outside the theatre displaying the words on a digital screen: "The Assassination of Sadiq Khan" and "Why are death threats against Conservative women acceptable?"

The 43-year-old former Daily Mail columnist has, in the past, called for a "final solution" in the fight against Islamic terrorism and branded migrants as "cockroaches" and "feral humans".

Tamara Harvey, Theatr Clwyd’s artistic director, said: “We’re thrilled to see The Assassination of Katie Hopkins win Best Musical Production at this year’s UK Theatre Awards.

"It’s testament to the wonderful creative talents of writer Chris Bush and composer Matt Winkworth, as well as to our skilled team at Theatr Clwyd – set building, painting, prop-making and wardrobe – a rarity to have in-house as a regional producer.

"The production’s boldness in daring to ask the big questions of our society, and resounding endorsement of the British musical genre as the platform upon which to do it, captured the imagination of audiences and media alike.

"This also marks the culmination of an extraordinary year for our company, and we’re enormously proud of recognition from our industry for world-class theatre made here in North East Wales.”

Theatr Clwyd was nominated for two further awards - Best New Play for Home I’m Darling, a co-production with National Theatre and the Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre for A Streetcar Named Desire, its co-production with Nuffield Southampton Theatres and English Touring Theatre.