Dame Elaine Paige will receive the Special Award at the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard, as announced on BBC’s The One Show. The ceremony will take place on Sunday 12 April at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the 50th anniversary of theatre’s biggest night and hosted by Nick Mohammed.
An Olivier Award winner and multiple nominee, Dame Elaine is widely regarded as one of the most influential musical theatre performers of her generation. Her remarkable career has included originating iconic roles such as Eva Perón in Evita, Florence in Chess, and Grizabella in Cats.
She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1995, before being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2025 for her services to music and charity.
Alongside her extensive stage work, Dame Elaine has appeared in numerous television productions, toured internationally in concert and recorded more than 30 albums. She continues to present the long-running BBC Radio 2 programme Elaine Paige on Sunday, now in its 22nd year.
She also champions emerging talent as Artistic Associate and Vice President of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, with scholarships established both there and at BIMM University. Her charitable commitments span the arts, health and community sectors, including her own animal welfare charity, West End Woofs.
Dame Elaine Paige said:
“I am thrilled and profoundly honoured to receive this Special Award at the Olivier Awards with Cunard. To be recognised by my peers and by the theatre community that has been my home for so many years means more than I can say. Theatre has given me a lifetime of unforgettable roles and memories, and I feel deeply privileged to have shared those moments on stages in the West End, on Broadway and around the world.
“To stand alongside the remarkable artists who have received this honour before me is truly humbling. I accept this award with sincere gratitude and pride on behalf of everyone who continues to keep musical theatre alive and dazzling for future generations.”
Kash Bennett, President of the Society of London Theatre, added:
“Dame Elaine Paige is quite simply one of the defining figures of modern musical theatre. For decades she has captivated audiences in the West End and on Broadway, setting an extraordinary benchmark for performers and helping to shape the landscape of musical theatre as we know it today.
“As we celebrate 50 years of the Olivier Awards, it is especially fitting to honour a performer whose artistry, dedication and generosity have inspired generations of audiences and artists alike. We are delighted to recognise Dame Elaine’s remarkable contribution to theatre with this Special Award.”
The Olivier Awards 2026 will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, with BBC Radio 2 airing a special two-hour programme from the Royal Albert Hall hosted by Jo Whiley and featuring performances and exclusive interviews.
More information can be found here
