Bette Midler steals the show at the Tony Awards

No one tells Bette Midler when to get off stage. Photo / AP

Bette Midler stole the show at the Tony Awards where she finally got a gong, but she refused to leave the stage as debate erupted over why she didn't perform.

Midler took home her first acting Tony at a razzle dazzle ceremony at New York's iconic Radio Music Hall on Monday.

Midler, who first performed on Broadway in 1967, won best lead actor in a musical for Hello, Dolly! which she described as "the ride of my life."

"I can't remember when I had so much smoke blown up my arse. It's full. This is it. It's the icing on the cake!" she said in an acceptance speech that went on so long it silenced the "time up" orchestra.

She refused to leave the stage as the orchestra began playing her off.

"I'd like to thank all the Tony voters - many of whom I've actually dated," Midler joked. She called the role "the greatest professional experience of my life". Midler kept talking as the orchestra attempted wind her up and get her off stage as the show was running over.
"Shut that crap off!" Midler said.

👑👑👑#TonyAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/7ki4275Qk9

— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) June 12, 2017

When the music stopped, Midler continued, by saying: "I just want to say that 'revival' is an interesting word. It means something was near death and was brought back to life. Hello, Dolly! never really went away. It's in our DNA. It's optimism. It's democracy. It's colour. It's hilarity. This is a classic: come and see it. It's not just me. This thing has the ability to life your spirits in these terrible times."

Later on, Tony Awards host Kevin Spacey emerged in his character of Frank Underwood from House of Cards, with his co-star Robin Wright by his side.

He told the audience: "I want to get the hell out of here before Bette Midler thanks anyone else."

Evan Hansen star Ben Platt, who is just 23, won best lead actor in a musical. The unlikely crowd-pleaser about teen suicide took home a swag of awards including best musical and best supporting actor (Rachel Bay Jones).