The 50th annual Olivier Awards took place on April 12 in a ceremony hosted by actor Nick Mohammed at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Olivier Awards, run by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) recognize achievement in London theater throughout the 2025-2026 season, which includes productions that opened between Feb. 15, 2025, and Feb. 17, 2026, in a theater represented by a SOLT member.
“Paddington The Musical” took home seven trophies, including the top prize of Cunard Best New Musical for writers Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale. The Bridge Theatre production of “Into the Woods” won Best Musical Revival. James Graham’s “Punch” was named Best New Play; the drama, based on a true story, debuted on Broadway with Manhattan Theatre Club earlier this season and is eligible for the 2026 Tony Awards. “All My Sons” claimed victory in the Best Revival category. Notably, “Oh, Mary!” won the Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play; Cole Escola’s comedy was nominated in 2025 for the Tony Award for Best Play.
In terms of performances, Rosamund Pike was crowned Best Actress for her turn in “Inter Alia,” which she will reprise on Broadway when the play transfers later this year. Rachel Zegler, who just last week performed the role of Cathy in a concert presentation of “The Last Five Years” at Radio City Music Hall, took home the trophy for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the title role of “Evita.” Notably, “Paddington” performers won in the categories of Best Actor in a Musical (James Hameed and Arti Shah), Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Tom Edden) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Victoria Hamilton-Barritt).
Special Award recipient Dame Elaine Paige was honored at the ceremony with a special video tribute, before being presented with her statuette by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who also read a celebratory message from Her Majesty The Queen. Industry Recognition Award recipients Betty Laine, Linda Tolhurst and David Wood also received a special acknowledgement during the ceremony, honoring their significant contributions to the industry. For a full list of winners, see below.
The Olivier Awards were televised on BBC Two and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The broadcast 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 is available to listen to on BBC Sounds.
2026 Olivier Awards winners
Cunard Best New Musical
* “Paddington The Musical,” music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and book by Jessica Swale at Savoy Theatre
“Here We Are,” book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at National Theatre – Lyttelton
“Shucked,” book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry,” book by Rachel Joyce, music and lyrics by Passenger at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck
* “Into The Woods,” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre
“American Psycho,” book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music and 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 and lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan at Garrick Theatre
Best New Play supported by The Londoner
* “Punch” by James Graham at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
“1536” by Ava Pickett at Almeida Theatre
“Inter Alia” by Suzie Miller at National Theatre – Lyttelton
“Kenrex” by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian at the Other Palace
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 and Thomas Ostermeier at Barbican Theatre
Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
* “Oh, Mary!” by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre
“The Comedy About Spies” by Henry Lewis and 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
* Rosamund Pike for “Inter Alia” at National Theatre – Lyttelton
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
* Jack Holden for “Kenrex” at The Other Palace
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 and Apollo Theatre
Best Actor in a Musical
* James Hameed and Arti Shah for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
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
* Rachel Zegler for “Evita” at the London Palladium
Katie Brayben for “Into The Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Danielle Fiamanya and 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
* Julie Hesmondhalgh for “Punch” at Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
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
* Paapa Essiedu for “All My Sons” at Wyndham’s Theatre
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
* Tom Edden for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
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
* Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
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
* Luke Sheppard for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
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
* 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
* Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) and Tahra Zafar (“Paddington” Design) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
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
* Tom Pye (Set Design) and Ash J Woodward (Video Design) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Paul Tate dePoo III (Scenic and 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
* Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) and Roland Horvath (Video Design) for “Into The Woods” at Bridge Theatre
Robbie Butler for “Punch” at Young Vic and 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
* Giles Thomas for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
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
* Chris Fenwick (Musical Supervision and Arrangements) and Sean Hayes (Live Piano Performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue) for “Good Night, Oscar” at Barbican Theatre
Matt Brind (Orchestrations and Arrangements) for “Paddington The Musical” at Savoy Theatre
Will Butler (Original Songs and Orchestrations) and Justin Craig (Orchestrations) for “Stereophonic” at Duke of York’s Theatre
John Patrick Elliott (Composition) for “Kenrex” at the Other Palace
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 and lyrics by Anthony Drewe at Unicorn Theatre
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre
* “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams at the Yard Theatre
“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
* “Into The Hairy” by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells
“Mimi’s Shebeen” by Alesandra Seutin and 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
