The nominees for the 50th anniversary of the Laurence Olivier Awards, sponsored by Cunard, have been revealed, celebrating the very best of theatre across London’s West End and beyond.
This year’s landmark ceremony will take place at the iconic Royal Albert Hall on 12 April 2026. The event will be hosted by comedian and actor Nick Mohammed and broadcast across BBC television and radio.
Productions across drama, musical theatre, dance and opera are recognised in this year’s nominations, with notable titles including Into The Woods, All My Sons, Paddington The Musical, and The Seagull earning multiple nods.
Nominations in full:
Cunard Best New Musical
Here We Are, book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – National Theatre – Lyttelton
Paddington The Musical, music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale – Savoy Theatre
Shucked, book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, book by Rachel Joyce, music and lyrics by Passenger – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival (supported by Piper-Heidsieck)
American Psycho, book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis – Almeida Theatre
Evita, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber – The London Palladium
Into The Woods, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine – Bridge Theatre
The Producers, music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan – Garrick Theatre
Best New Play (supported by The Londoner)
1536 by Ava Pickett – Almeida Theatre
Inter Alia by Suzie Miller – National Theatre – Lyttelton
Kenrex by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian – The Other Palace
Punch by James Graham – Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Best Revival
All My Sons by Arthur Miller – Wyndham’s Theatre
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard – The Old Vic
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier – Barbican Theatre
Acting Highlights
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett – The Seagull
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – All My Sons
Julia McDermott – Weather Girl
Rosamund Pike – Inter Alia
Rosie Sheehy – Guess How Much I Love You?
Best Actor
Bryan Cranston – All My Sons
Sean Hayes – Good Night, Oscar
Tom Hiddleston – Much Ado About Nothing
Jack Holden – Kenrex
David Shields – Punch
Best Actress in a Musical
Katie Brayben – Into The Woods
Danielle Fiamanya and Georgina Onuorah – Brigadoon
Jane Krakowski – Here We Are
Jenna Russell – The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Rachel Zegler – Evita
Best Actor in a Musical
Marc Antolin – The Producers
James Hameed and Arti Shah – Paddington The Musical
Andy Nyman – The Producers
Jamie Parker – Into The Woods
Diego Andres Rodriguez – Evita
Additional categories cover directing, choreography, design, sound, dance, opera and family productions, highlighting the depth and creativity of London’s theatre scene.
The winners of the 2026 Olivier Awards will be revealed during the special anniversary ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 April, with Nick Mohammed leading the celebrations as host and the event broadcast nationwide by the BBC.