The 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards winners were revealed at The London Palladium in a ceremony hosted by Gina and Mazz Murray, with audiences once again choosing all recipients of the major UK theatre honours.
Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said, “The voters really did look after that Bear! Paddington’s record-setting awards haul has firmly cemented it as a fan-favourite new addition to the West End. From bears to balconies – it’s no surprise to see Rachel Zegler amongst the starry line-up of winners following her al fresco performance at this very venue last summer.
“We have to give thanks to our sponsors – your continued support has allowed us to grow these awards to become such a wonderful celebration of the theatre community. Most importantly, of course, is a big thank you to everyone that nominated, voted and campaigned for their favourite shows and performers – the wealth of excitement around these awards highlights the unwavering passion and love for theatre that brings punters to venues night after night. Here’s to next year and see you for the nominations in November!”
Paddington The Musical led the night with nine awards, equalling the all-time record set by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Miss Saigon. The production won Best New Musical and several design and creative categories, including Best Direction for Luke Sheppard, Best Set Design for Tom Pye, and Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar.
Evita collected five awards including Best Musical Revival, with Rachel Zegler named Best Performer in a Musical. She also triumphed in the Best Concert Event category for Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium.
In the play categories, Richard II at Bridge Theatre secured two wins. Jonathan Bailey won Best Performer in a Play and the production was awarded Best Play Revival.
Mischief took home Best New Play for The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields. Amber Davies won Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for The Great Gatsby, while Stephen Fry won Best Supporting Performer in a Play for The Importance of Being Earnest. Emma Kingston was recognised with Best Takeover for her performance as Elphaba in Wicked.
Marking its 40th anniversary, Les Misérables was named Best West End Show. Best Regional Production went to 13 Going on 30 The Musical in Manchester, while Young Frankenstein at Hope Mill Theatre won Best Studio Production.
The inaugural Best Child Performance Award, introduced with charity partner Go Live Theatre, went to The Land of the Living at the National Theatre, shared by Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Anton Vehring and Artie Wilkinson-Hunt.
James Graham received the AudienceView Services to UK Theatre Award following a prolific year that included new plays, revivals and a BBC adaptation of Dear England.
The ceremony also featured exclusive performances from productions including 13 Going On 30 The Musical, Disney’s Hercules, Paddington The Musical, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Young Frankenstein, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra.
More information can be found here.
The WhatsOnStage Awards 2026 Winners in Full
THE SINE DIGITAL BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY
Jonathan Bailey, Richard II, Bridge Theatre
BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL – SPONSORED BY TICKETMASTER
Rachel Zegler, Evita, The London Palladium
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY
Stephen Fry, The Importance of Being Earnest, Noël Coward Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL – SPONSORED BY NEWMAN DISPLAYS
Amber Davies, The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum
BEST PROFESSIONAL DEBUT – SPONSORED BY AKA
Timi Akinyosade, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST TAKEOVER
Emma Kingston, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
BEST CHILD PERFORMANCE
The Land of the Living – National Theatre – Young Thomas: Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Artie Wilkinson-Hunt, Anton Vehring
BEST NEW PLAY – SPONSORED BY DISNEY ON STAGE
The Comedy About Spies, Noël Coward Theatre
THE TRAVELZOO BEST NEW MUSICAL AWARD
Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
THE LONDONER BEST PLAY REVIVAL AWARD
Richard II, Bridge Theatre
BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL – SPONSORED BY CONCORD THEATRICALS
Evita, The London Palladium
BEST WEST END SHOW – SPONSORED BY DEWYNTERS
Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
AUDIENCE REPUBLIC BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION
13 Going on 30 The Musical, Manchester Opera House
BEST CONCERT EVENT
Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium, The London Palladium
BEST STUDIO PRODUCTION – SPONSORED BY THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE
Young Frankenstein, Hope Mill Theatre
BEST DIRECTION – SPONSORED BY LONDON THEATRE DIRECT
Luke Sheppard, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – SPONSORED BY LaDUCA SHOES
Fabian Aloise, Evita, The London Palladium
THE PREEVUE BEST SET DESIGN AWARD
Tom Pye, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Gabrielle Slade and Tahra Zafar, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
THE WHITE LIGHT BEST LIGHTING DESIGN AWARD
Jon Clark, Evita, The London Palladium
BEST SOUND DESIGN – SPONSORED BY HERE AT OUTERNET
Gareth Owen, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST VIDEO DESIGN – SPONSORED BY STUDIO 20
Jamie Lloyd, Nick Ward, David Anderson, Evita, The London Palladium
WIGS, HAIR AND MAKE-UP DESIGN
Campbell Young Associates, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST MUSIC DIRECTION / SUPERVISION
Matt Brind, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST CASTING DIRECTION
Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday, Annabelle Davis,Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
