- Two musicals lead the way, with 11 nominations each for Into The Woods and Paddington The Musical
- The most nominated plays are All My Sons, Kenrex and Stereophonic, with six each
- Nominees for Best Actress are Cate Blanchett, Marianne-Jean Baptiste, Julia McDermott, Rosamund Pike and Rosie Sheehy
- Nominees for Best Actor are Bryan Cranston, Sean Hayes, Tom Hiddleston, Jack Holden and David Shields
- Sean Hayes, Georgina Onuorah and Tom Scutt are nominated across two categories each, whilst Zachary Hart receives a double-nomination in the same category
- Other nominees include Tracie Bennett, Corbin Bleu, Paapa Essiedu, Kate Fleetwood, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Jane Krakowski, Andy Nyman, Hayley Squires, Giles Terera, Sophie Thompson and Rachel Zegler
The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard, British theatre’s most prestigious honours, have been announced. The awards, which this year celebrate their 50th anniversary, will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 12 April, showcasing the very best of London theatre in a star-studded ceremony hosted by Nick Mohammed.
In what has been another outstanding year on London’s stages, bold new writing has sat alongside revelatory revivals, large-scale spectacle and intimate studio work, reflecting the breadth and vitality of the UK’s world-leading theatre industry. International stars and homegrown talent alike have lit up our stages, while creatives have pushed boundaries with remarkable imagination and skill.
With 11 total nominations each, Into The Woods and Paddington The Musical are this year’s most-nominated shows. Three plays receive six nominations each: All My Sons, Kenrex, and Stereophonic.
The nominees for Cunard Best New Musical are Here We Are, the National Theatre’s staging of Stephen Sondheim’s last work, Paddington The Musical, currently playing at the Savoy Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s summer production of Broadway hit Shucked, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, the Chichester Festival Theatre transfer currently playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. For Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck, the Almeida Theatre’s American Psycho, which runs until 21 March, faces Jamie Lloyd’s Evita at The London Palladium, Into The Woods, currently running at the Bridge Theatre, and The Producers, currently running at the Garrick Theatre.
Alongside its Best Musical Revival nomination, Into The Woods receives nominations for Best Actor in a Musical (Jamie Parker), Best Actress in a Musical (Katie Brayben), two nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Jo Foster & Oliver Saville), Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Kate Fleetwood), Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Jordan Fein, his second in a row following his nomination for Fiddler On The Roof last year), Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik (Adam Fisher), Best Lighting Design (Aideen Malone for Lighting Design & Roland Horvath for Video Design, a second-in-a-row nomination for Malone), and finally, both Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology and Best Costume Design for Tom Scutt, his fifth and sixth nominations, after being nominated in both categories for his work on Cabaret in 2022, and Fiddler On The Roof last year, for which he won Best Set Design.
In addition to its Cunard Best New Musical nomination, Paddington The Musical is nominated for Best Actor in a Musical (James Hameed & Arti Shah for their shared role as Paddington himself), Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Tom Edden, his second in a row after his Waiting For Godot nomination last year), two nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Amy Booth-Steel & Victoria Hamilton-Barritt), Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Luke Sheppard), Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer (Ellen Kane), Best Costume Design (Gabriella Slade for Costume Design, another second-in-a-row after her win for Starlight Express last year, & Tahra Zafar for Paddington Design), Best Set Design (Tom Pye for Set Design & Ash J Woodward for Video Design), Best Sound Design (Gareth Owen), and Outstanding Musical Contribution (Matt Brind for Orchestrations & Arrangements).
Completing the nominees for Best Actor in a Musical are Marc Antolin (for The Producers, which receives four total nominations), Andy Nyman (also for The Producers, following his Hello, Dolly! nomination last year), and Diego Andres Rodriguez (for Evita, which receives five nominations in total). The Best Actress in a Musical category is completed by Danielle Fiamanya & Georgina Onuorah (who job shared their leading role in Brigadoon), Jane Krakowski (Here We Are), Jenna Russell (The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry), and Rachel Zegler (Evita). Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical is completed by Trevor Ashley (The Producers), and Corbin Bleu (The Great Gatsby – A New Musical), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical by Tracie Bennett (for Here We Are, her seventh all-time nomination), and Georgina Onuorah (for Shucked, her second nomination of the year, and both for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre productions).
All My Sons, playing at Wyndham’s Theatre until Saturday 7 March, receives nominations for Best Revival, Best Actor for Bryan Cranston, and Best Actress for Marianne Jean-Baptiste, as well as Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Paapa Essiedu, following his nomination for Death Of England: Delroy last year), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hayley Squires), and the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Ivo van Hove). Completing the Best Revival category, with bold new takes on both classic and modern plays, are the late Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at The Old Vic, Jamie Lloyd’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the new adaptation of The Seagull at Barbican Theatre.
Kenrex, the Sheffield Theatres transfer which achieved success at the UK Theatre Awards 2025, receives nominations for Best New Play supported by The Londoner, Best Actor (Jack Holden), Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Ed Stambollouian), Best Lighting Design (Joshua Pharo), Best Sound Design (Giles Thomas), and Outstanding Musical Contribution (John Patrick Elliott for Composition). Broadway transfer Stereophonic receives Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Lucy Karczewski, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Zachary Hart (who is double-nominated in the same category for both Stereophonic and The Seagull), in addition to Best Costume Design (Enver Chakartash), Best Set Design (David Zinn), Best Sound Design (Ryan Rumery), and Outstanding Musical Contribution (Will Butler for Original Songs & Orchestrations, & Justin Craig for Orchestrations).
Another successful out-of-London transfer, which also achieved UK Theatre Awards success, James Graham’s Punch receives four nominations for Best New Play, Best Actor (David Shields), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Julie Hesmondhalgh), and Best Lighting Design (Robbie Butler); following its London run, the production returns to the Nottingham Playhouse this month. This marks a second Olivier Award nomination for James Graham, who won for Best New Play in 2024 with Dear England. Best New Play is completed by Ava Pickett’s 1536, the Almeida Theatre production which transfers to the Ambassadors Theatre in May, and Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia, which transfers to Wyndham’s Theatre this month following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, and marks a second Olivier Award nomination for Suzie Miller following her win for Prima Facie in 2023.
In the performing categories, Sean Hayes (for Good Night, Oscar, also nominated for Outstanding Musical Contribution for his Live Piano Performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue) and Tom Hiddleston (Much Ado About Nothing) complete the Best Actor category, whilst Best Actress is completed by Cate Blanchett (The Seagull), Julia McDermott (Weather Girl), Rosamund Pike (Inter Alia), and Rosie Sheehy (for Guess How Much I Love You?, her second in a row following her nomination for last year’s Machinal). Best Actor in a Supporting Role is completed by Hammed Animashaun (Dealer’s Choice), and Giles Terera (Oh, Mary!), whilst Isis Hainsworth (Arcadia) and Sophie Thompson (When We Are Married) conclude the Best Actress in a Supporting Role nominees.
The Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play sees a vibrant array of productions nominated, from Mischief’s The Comedy About Spies, garnering them their sixth Olivier Award nomination, to Every Brilliant Thing, which saw an array of stars bring their unique perspective to the lead role at @sohoplace, Cole Escola’s Broadway sensation Oh, Mary!, currently running at the Trafalgar Theatre, and Paranormal Activity, inspired by the terrifying film series and currently running at the Ambassadors Theatre.
In the category for Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre, a wide range of venues are represented, with nominations for Ben And Imo at Orange Tree Theatre, The Glass Menagerie at The Yard Theatre, The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs at Kiln Theatre, Miss Myrtle’s Garden at Bush Theatre, and The Shitheads at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court Theatre. The nominees for Best Family Show are The Boy At The Back Of The Class at Rose Theatre, The Boy With Wings at Polka Theatre, The Firework-Maker’s Daughter at Polka Theatre, and The Three Little Pigs at Unicorn Theatre.
In dance and opera, the Best New Dance Production nominees are Into The Hairy at Sadler’s Wells, Mimi’s Shebeen at Sadler’s Wells East, Random Taranto at The Pit at Barbican, and She’s Auspicious at Sadler’s Wells East. The Best New Opera Production supported by TAIT nominees are Dead Man Walking by English National Opera, The Makropulos Case by The Royal Opera, Tosca by The Royal Opera, and Die Walküre by The Royal Opera. These awards will be presented by the Outstanding Contribution to Dance and Opera recipients, Sir Wayne McGregor and Danielle De Niese, respectively, at the ceremony.
The Olivier Awards 2026 will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer with highlights on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 12 April.
Full list of nominations for the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard:
Cunard Best New Musical
- Here We Are, book by David Ives, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at National Theatre – Lyttelton
- Paddington The Musical, music & lyrics by Tom Fletcher & book by Jessica Swale at Savoy Theatre
- Shucked, book by Robert Horn, music & lyrics by Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, book by Rachel Joyce, music & lyrics by Passenger at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck
- American Psycho, book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music & lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis at Almeida Theatre
- Evita, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber at The London Palladium
- Into The Woods, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre
- The Producers, music & lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan at Garrick Theatre
Best New Play supported by The Londoner
- 1536 by Ava Pickett at Almeida Theatre
- Inter Alia by Suzie Miller at National Theatre – Lyttelton
- Kenrex by Jack Holden & Ed Stambollouian at The Other Palace
- Punch by James Graham at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
Best Revival
- All My Sons by Arthur Miller at Wyndham’s Theatre
- Arcadia by Tom Stoppard at The Old Vic
- Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
- The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Duncan Macmillan & Thomas Ostermeier at Barbican Theatre
Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
- The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis & Henry Shields at Noël Coward Theatre
- Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe at @sohoplace
- Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre
- Paranormal Activity by Levi Holloway at Ambassadors Theatre
Best Actress
- Cate Blanchett for The Seagull at Barbican Theatre
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
- Julia McDermott for Weather Girl at Soho Theatre
- Rosamund Pike for Inter Alia at National Theatre – Lyttelton
- Rosie Sheehy for Guess How Much I Love You? at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best Actor
- Bryan Cranston for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
- Sean Hayes for Good Night, Oscar at Barbican Theatre
Tom Hiddleston for Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Jack Holden for Kenrex at The Other Palace
- David Shields for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
Best Actor in a Musical
- Marc Antolin for The Producers at Garrick Theatre
- James Hameed & Arti Shah for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Andy Nyman for The Producers at Garrick Theatre
- Jamie Parker for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Diego Andres Rodriguez for Evita at The London Palladium
Best Actress in a Musical
- Katie Brayben for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Danielle Fiamanya & Georgina Onuorah for Brigadoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
- Jane Krakowski for Here We Are at National Theatre – Lyttelton
- Jenna Russell for The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry at Theatre Royal Haymarket
- Rachel Zegler for Evita at The London Palladium
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Isis Hainsworth for Arcadia at The Old Vic
- Julie Hesmondhalgh for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
- Lucy Karczewski for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
- Hayley Squires for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
- Sophie Thompson for When We Are Married at Donmar Warehouse
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Hammed Animashaun for Dealer’s Choice at Donmar Warehouse
- Paapa Essiedu for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
- Zachary Hart for The Seagull at Barbican Theatre
- Zachary Hart for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
- Giles Terera for Oh, Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
- Trevor Ashley for The Producers at Garrick Theatre
- Corbin Bleu for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum
- Tom Edden for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Jo Foster for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Oliver Savile for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
- Tracie Bennett for Here We Are at National Theatre – Lyttelton
- Amy Booth-Steel for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Kate Fleetwood for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Georgina Onuorah for Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director
- Jordan Fein for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Ed Stambollouian for Kenrex at The Other Palace
- Lyndsey Turner for 1536 at Almeida Theatre
- Ivo van Hove for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre
Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer
- Fabian Aloise for Evita at The London Palladium
- Ellen Kane for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Drew McOnie for Brigadoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
- Lynne Page for American Psycho at Almeida Theatre
Best Costume Design
- Enver Chakartash for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
- Linda Cho for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum
- Tom Scutt for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) & Tahra Zafar (Paddington Design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology
- Paul Tate dePoo III (Scenic & Projection Design) for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum
- Tom Pye (Set Design) & Ash J Woodward (Video Design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Tom Scutt for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- David Zinn for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
Best Lighting Design
- Robbie Butler for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
- Jon Clark for Evita at The London Palladium
- Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) & Roland Horvath (Video Design) for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Joshua Pharo for Kenrex at The Other Palace
Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik
- Adam Fisher for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
- Gareth Owen for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Ryan Rumery for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
- Giles Thomas for Kenrex at The Other Palace
Outstanding Musical Contribution
- Matt Brind (Orchestrations & Arrangements) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
- Will Butler (Original Songs & Orchestrations) & Justin Craig (Orchestrations) for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre
- John Patrick Elliott (Composition) for Kenrex at The Other Palace
- Chris Fenwick (Musical Supervision & Arrangements) & Sean Hayes (Live Piano Performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue) for Good Night, Oscar at Barbican Theatre
Best Family Show
- The Boy At The Back Of The Class, adapted by Nick Ahad at Rose Theatre
- The Boy With Wings, adapted by Arvind Ethan David at Polka Theatre
- The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, adapted by Jude Christian at Polka Theatre
- The Three Little Pigs, music by George Stiles, book & lyrics by Anthony Drewe at Unicorn Theatre
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre
- Ben And Imo by Mark Ravenhill at Orange Tree Theatre
- The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams at The Yard Theatre
- The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs by Iman Qureshi at Kiln Theatre
- Miss Myrtle’s Garden by Danny James King at Bush Theatre
- The Shitheads by Jack Nicholls at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best New Dance Production
- Into The Hairy by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells
- Mimi’s Shebeen by Alesandra Seutin & KVS at Sadler’s Wells East
- Random Taranto by María del Mar Suárez (La Chachi) as part of Dance Umbrella: Change Tempo at The Pit at Barbican
- She’s Auspicious by Mythili Prakash at Sadler’s Wells East
Best New Opera Production supported by TAIT
- Dead Man Walking by English National Opera at London Coliseum
- The Makropulos Case by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
- Tosca by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
- Die Walküre by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
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