Winners announced at Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard 

• This year’s biggest winner is Paddington The Musical, with seven awards including Cunard Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical for Paddington pair James Hameed & Arti Shah, and Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Tom Edden and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, respectively 
• Two musicals receive two wins each – Evita and Into The Woods – including Best Actress in a Musical for Rachel Zegler for Evita, and Best Musical Revival for Into The Woods 
• Three plays receive two wins each – All My Sons, Kenrex, and Punch – including Best Revival for All My Sons and Best New Play for Punch 
• Jack Holden wins Best Actor for Kenrex, and Rosamund Pike wins Best Actress for Inter Alia 
• Best Actor and Best Actress in a Supporting Role are awarded to Paapa Essiedu for All My Sons, and Julie Hesmondhalgh for Punch, respectively 
• Ceremony highlights aired from 7pm on BBC Two, and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer 

The winners of the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard were revealed this evening at London’s Royal Albert Hall, in a ceremony hosted by Nick Mohammed. Marking their 50^th anniversary, the Olivier Awards celebrate the very best of London’s world-leading theatre industry. This year’s most awarded production was Paddington The Musical, with seven wins. Musicals Evita and Into The Woods, and plays All My Sons, Kenrex, and Punch, each received two awards.  

Paddington The Musical’s seven wins included the coveted Cunard Best New Musical award for writers Tom Fletcher & Jessica Swale. James Hameed & Arti Shah took home the Best Actor in a Musical award for their joint portrayal of the musical’s title character, whilst Victoria Hamilton-Barritt received the Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical award, and Tom Edden the Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical award. The show’s creatives triumphed, with Luke Sheppard receiving the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director, Tom Pye (Set Design) & Ash J Woodward (Video Design) taking home the award for Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology, and Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) & Tahra Zafar (Paddington Design) winning Best Costume Design, a second win in a row for Gabriella Slade, who won the same award for her work on Starlight Express last year. 

Jamie Lloyd’s bold adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita received two awards: Rachel Zegler’s performance as Eva Peron – which made headlines last summer for its scene performed from the balcony of The London Palladium – earned her the Best Actress in a Musical award, whilst Fabian Aloise received the Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. Bridge Theatre’s take on Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s fairytale misadventure Into The Woods won Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck, and Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) & Roland Horvath (Video Design) received the award for Best Lighting Design. 

Three plays – All My Sons, Kenrex, and Punch – received two awards each. All My Sons – a new production of Arthur Miller’s visionary first play – was awarded Best Revival, with Paapa Essiedu taking home the Best Actor in a Supporting Role award. Jack Holden received the highly competitive Best Actor award for his performance in Kenrex (following his UK Theatre Award win last year), whilst Giles Thomas won Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik for his work on the play, which transferred to London from Sheffield Theatres. Another successful out-of-London transfer and previous UK Theatre Award winner, James Graham’s Punch, which originated at Nottingham Playhouse, received the award for Best New Play supported by The Londoner, with Julie Hesmondhalgh receiving the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. 

The coveted Best Actress award was won by Rosamund Pike, for her tour de force performance in Suzie Miller’s Inter Alia at the National Theatre, following the opening of the West End transfer earlier this week at Wyndham’s Theatre. Elsewhere, the Barbican Theatre’s Good Night, Oscar received the award for Outstanding Musical Contribution for Chris Fenwick (Musical Supervision & Arrangements) & Sean Hayes (Live Piano Performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue). 

Other new productions receiving accolades at the ceremony were Cole Escola’s Broadway hit Oh, Mary!, receiving the Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, Rose Theatre’s The Boy At The Back Of The Class, which received Best Family Show, and The Yard Theatre’s The Glass Menagerie, winning Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre.  

Into The Hairy by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells won Best New Dance Production, and English National Opera’s Dead Man Walking won Best New Opera Production supported by TAIT, which were presented by this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Dance recipient Sir Wayne McGregor, and Outstanding Contribution to Opera recipient Danielle de Niese, who received their own awards at the Olivier Awards with Cunard Tea Party at The Londoner Hotel last month.  

Special Award recipient Dame Elaine Paige was honoured at the ceremony with a special video tribute, before being presented with her statuette by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, who also read a celebratory message from Her Majesty The Queen. Industry Recognition Award recipients Betty Laine OBE, Linda Tolhurst and David Wood OBE also received a special acknowledgement during the ceremony, honouring their significant contributions to the theatre industry. 

The star-studded ceremony included a special performance marking 40 years of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom Of The Opera, and a dazzling finale celebrating 20 years of Wicked in the West End. Additional performances throughout the evening included Cunard Best New Musical nominees Paddington The Musical, Shucked, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, and Best Musical Revival nominees Evita, Into The Woods and The Producers. 

“This year’s Olivier Awards with Cunard were a showstopping celebration of the best of British theatre and we are thrilled to have been able to mark the awards’ 50^th anniversary in such style. Massive congratulation to all of our phenomenal winners and nominees. Their creativity and talent is the reason why the UK is the best place in the world to make and see theatre.” 

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre Co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex

This year, the Olivier Awards welcomed Cunard as Headline Partner, further strengthening Cunard’s long-standing connection with world-class theatre and commitment to supporting the arts, prevalent both on board their ships and ashore. Additionally, Cunard gives its name to the Cunard Best New Musical award. 

“Cunard’s connection to theatre, arts and culture has been part of our rich history for 185 years. It’s a privilege to be the headline partner of the Olivier Awards in its 50^th year as these awards truly celebrate the very best of British theatre and its global impact, from the talent on stage to the creativity behind the scenes.” 

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard

The Olivier Awards with Cunard are grateful to all of our award supporting partners: Blue-i Theatre Technology, Cunard, d&b audiotechnik, Piper-Heidsieck, TAIT and The Londoner. We also extend our thanks to our official car partner, Audi. In addition, we would like to recognise the support of Famille Perrin, Fortnum and Mason, Grass & Co., Island Chocolate, Mahou, Ovation Rights, See Tickets and The Observer. 

For its 50^th year, the Olivier Awards was televised in a prime-time slot on BBC Two on Sunday 12 April is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The programme was produced by Penny Lane Entertainment in partnership with the Society of London Theatre. A special BBC Radio 2 show hosted by Jo Whiley, featuring performances from some of the night’s biggest shows and exclusive interviews with a dazzling line-up of stars, is available to listen to on BBC Sounds. Ex-UK viewers can tune into Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel to watch the highlights programme. 

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Full list of winners for Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard: 

Cunard Best New Musical

WINNER: Paddington The Musical, music & lyrics by Tom Fletcher & book by Jessica Swale at Savoy Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Here We Are, book by David Ives, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at National Theatre – Lyttelton 
• 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

WINNER: Into The Woods, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim & book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 
• The Producers, music & lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan at Garrick Theatre 

Best New Play supported by The Londoner

WINNER: Punch by James Graham at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Best Revival

WINNER: All My Sons by Arthur Miller at Wyndham’s Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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

WINNER: Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis & Henry Shields at Noël Coward Theatre 
• Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe at @sohoplace 
• Paranormal Activity by Levi Holloway at Ambassadors Theatre 

Best Actress

WINNER: Rosamund Pike for Inter Alia at National Theatre – Lyttelton

NOMINATED: 

• 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 
• Rosie Sheehy for Guess How Much I Love You? at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre 

Best Actor

WINNER: Jack Holden for Kenrex at The Other Palace

NOMINATED: 

• 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 
• David Shields for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre 

Best Actor in a Musical

WINNER: James Hameed & Arti Shah for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre 

NOMINATED: 

• Marc Antolin for The Producers at Garrick 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

WINNER: Rachel Zegler for Evita at The London Palladium

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

WINNER: Julie Hesmondhalgh for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Isis Hainsworth for Arcadia at The Old Vic 
• 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

WINNER: Paapa Essiedu for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Hammed Animashaun for Dealer’s Choice at Donmar Warehouse 
• 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

WINNER: Tom Edden for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Trevor Ashley for The Producers at Garrick Theatre 
• Corbin Bleu for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum 
• 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

WINNER: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 
• Georgina Onuorah for Shucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 

Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director

WINNER: Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre 

NOMINATED: 

• Jordan Fein for Into The Woods at Bridge 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 

WINNER: Fabian Aloise for Evita at The London Palladium

NOMINATED: 

• 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

WINNER: Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) & Tahra Zafar (Paddington Design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology 

WINNER: Tom Pye (Set Design) & Ash J Woodward (Video Design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Paul Tate dePoo III (Scenic & Projection Design) for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum 
• Tom Scutt for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre 
• David Zinn for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre 

Best Lighting Design 

WINNER: Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) & Roland Horvath (Video Design) for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• Robbie Butler for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre 
• Jon Clark for Evita at The London Palladium 
• Joshua Pharo for Kenrex at The Other Palace 

Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik 

WINNER: Giles Thomas for Kenrex at The Other Palace 

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Outstanding Musical Contribution 

WINNER: Chris Fenwick (Musical Supervision & Arrangements) & Sean Hayes (Live Piano Performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue) for Good Night, Oscar at Barbican Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Best Family Show 

WINNER: The Boy At The Back Of The Class, adapted by Nick Ahad at Rose Theatre

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

WINNER: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams at The Yard Theatre 

NOMINATED: 

• Ben And Imo by Mark Ravenhill at Orange Tree 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

WINNER: Into The Hairy by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

WINNER: Dead Man Walking by English National Opera at London Coliseum 

NOMINATED: 

• 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 

Full list also available here: officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards