The lightness that had characterised the evening gave way briefly to a solemn moment in memory of recently departed actors - among them Leo McKern, Michael Elphick, Pat Coombs, Adam Faithand Dame Thora Hird.
Michael Tobman, a lawyer and political consultant who works with faith organizations in New York, said charitable institutions "were inconvenienced" by the delays.
Michael Robbins serves as the Senior Advisor for Nonprofit Partnerships, Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education.