Tennant, Jacobi share Shakespeare gong

David Tennant and Derek Jacobi have both won the Critics' Circle Theatre Award 2008 for the best Shakespearean performance.

Tennant picked up the prize for his turn in the title role of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet, which showed at Stratford-upon-Avon and the Novello in London.

Jacobi was recognised for his performance as Malvolio in Twelfth Night, which was staged by Donmar Warehouse at Wyndham's Theatre.

Tennant was unable to receive his award in person, but his "stage mum" Penny Downie read his acceptance speech on his behalf at the ceremony at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London.

In his speech, he said: "When I was at drama school, I waited at the stage door of Glasgow Theatre Royal to get Derek Jacobi's autograph after his breathtaking Richard II.

"I was utterly inspired by that night, so to be sharing a prize for Shakespeare with such an amazing actor means more than I can say."

He also thanked the rest of the "incredible, talented, ego-free [and] inspirational" cast, as well as Downie for accepting his award.

Tennant and Jacobi performed together in the third series of Doctor Who, when Jacobi shared the role of The Master with John Simm.