The Critics’ Circle has announced the winners of the 2026 Theatre Awards at a ceremony held today at the National Theatre. Sponsored by Finito, the awards are the only UK theatre prizes voted for solely by professional critics.
Ivo van Hove’s production of All My Sons was one of the night’s major winners, earning Best Director for van Hove and Best Revival of a Play or Musical.
Jordan Fein’s production of Into the Woods also took home two awards, winning the inaugural Best Ensemble or Cast category, with Tom Scutt receiving Best Designer.
Paddington The Musical, currently running at the Savoy Theatre, won Best New Musical for Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale.
James Graham’s Punch was awarded Best New Play, while Ava Pickett was named Most Promising Playwright for 1536, soon to transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre.
In the acting categories, Rosamund Pike won Best Actress for Inter Alia, now in previews at Wyndham’s Theatre following its National Theatre premiere. Brendan Gleeson was named Best Actor for his West End debut in The Weir. Ruby Ashbourne‑Serkis won Most Promising Newcomer for her role in Indian Ink at Hampstead Theatre.
Mark Lawson, Chair of the Critics’ Circle Drama Section for 2026, said: “In the first year that our members voted from long lists and shortlists… around 250 candidates were considered across the process, of which 179 received at least one vote. These came down to the 11 winners honoured today. Some categories were won by a landslide, but others were tight five‑ or six‑way contests… They show an exhilarating range of work across a vast variety of venues and genres – all achieved in challenging economic times.”
This year also marked the fourth edition of the Empty Space…Peter Brook Award becoming part of the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards. Renamed in memory of its late founder Blanche Marvin MBE, and sponsored by Nica Burns, the award was presented to Red Rose Chain in Ipswich.
The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards are supported by Finito, with additional individual awards sponsored by 5RB, NLP and Nica Burns, alongside support from Nick Hern Books, the Trewin Family and philanthropic donors.
More information can be found here
Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2026 Winners
Best New Play
James Graham – Punch
Best Revival of a Play or Musical
All My Sons (Wyndham’s Theatre)
Best New Musical
Paddington The Musical (Savoy Theatre)
Best Director
Ivo van Hove – All My Sons
Best Ensemble or Cast
Into the Woods (Bridge Theatre)
Most Promising Playwright
Ava Pickett – 1536 (Almeida Theatre)
Best Actor
Brendan Gleeson – The Weir (Harold Pinter Theatre)
Best Actress
Rosamund Pike – Inter Alia (National Theatre)
Best Designer
Tom Scutt – Into the Woods (Bridge Theatre)
Best Shakespearean Performance
Hayley Atwell – Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
Most Promising Newcomer
Ruby Ashbourne‑Serkis – Indian Ink (Hampstead Theatre)
Empty Space…Peter Brook Award (In Memory of Blanche Marvin)
Red Rose Chain, Ipswich
