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 50th 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 Designsupported 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 Playsupported 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 Contributionfor 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.
Society of London Theatre (SOLT) & UK Theatre Co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said:
“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’ 50th 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.”
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.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said:
“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 50th 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.”
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 50th 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, isavailable 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 and nominees for the 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
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