2026 Olivier Award winners
Discover this year's biggest winners, as well as the other nominees, at the prestigious Olivier Awards, held annually in London's West End in honour of the legendary British actor, Laurence Olivier. This celebrated ceremony celebrates the very best in theatre, from outstanding productions and performances to design and creativity.
This year's showstopping productions include Paddington the Musical, which won a total of seven awards, including Best New Musical. Further wins include Best Revival for Into the Woods and Best Actress in a Musical for Rachel Zegler in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita. Popular plays also had their moment, with All My Sons winning Best Revival, Oh Mary! winning Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and Punch winning Best New Play.
The Olivier Awards have celebrated the very best of British theatre since 1976, with newcomers on the London West End raffling some of the top awards. The Olivier Awards are one of the highest theatre honours, recognising world class theatre shows, including musicals, theatre plays, operas and dance productions – very often shows premiering in the West End that same year, set to be long-run productions.
This year's Olivier Awards celebrated the ceremony's 50th anniversary, honouring this year's best performers and productions, and remembering those who made history. With 11 nominations each, Into the Woods and Paddington were the top contenders, with the new musical Paddington stealing the spotlight. The cast took to the stage with the much-loved bear to perform a crowd favourite: Ma-Ma-Marmalade.
2026 wins and nominations: This year's showstoppers
Past Olivier Award-winners of Best Musical
Explore by category
Olivier Award-winning shows for Best Actor
Discover top performances on London's West End, featuring performers who have been honoured with the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Actor. These award-winning productions, ranging from dramas to uplifting musicals, have captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike.
Other Oliver Award-winning West End shows to see in 2026
Alongside Best Actor and Best Musical winners, other categories of Olivier Awards showcase outstanding achievements in acting, direction, choreography, set design and more. These productions, recognised for their excellence, promise an unforgettable time in London's West End.
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What theatre show has the most Olivier Awards?
With a record of 11 nominations and nine wins, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child dominated the Olivier Awards ceremony in 2017, claiming the prestigious title of Best New Play. The production also claimed awards in other categories, including Best Actor for Jamie Parker, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Noma Dumezweni, and Best Director for John Tiffany. Additionally, it won awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Anthony Boyle), Best Set Design (Christine Jones), Best Costume Design (Katrina Lindsay), Best Sound Design (Gareth Fry), and Best Lighting Design (Neil Austin).
In second place, top London musicals we find Paddington The Musical, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, along with Hamilton and Matilda, have secured a total of seven Olivier Awards each.
How prestigious is an Olivier Award?
The Olivier Awards are considered to be the highest award in British theatre, equivalent of the Broadway Tony Awards. The Oliviers highlight outstanding performances and achievements across various categories in the London West End. Winning an Olivier Award is a significant achievement for production teams, highlighting outstanding acting, directing, design and choreography.
Which Olivier Award shows are playing in the West End?
Olivier Award-winning shows are currently playing on the London West End, with 2024 winners including Stranger Things: The First Shadows for Best New Comedy Play.
Other smash-hit shows include the six-time Oliver Award-winner My Neighbour Totoro, a spectacular adaptation of the original Studio Ghibli animation film complete with showstopping puppetry.
How to book Olivier Award-winning theatre tickets in London?
Explore our curated selection of top London theatre tickets, featuring a range of musicals and bestselling plays currently showing in the West End. You can easily choose your preferred tickets through the Visit London website. Since popular Olivier Award-winning shows often sell out quickly, it’s wise to book your tickets in advance to ensure you secure the best dates and seats.
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