The UK Pantomime Association has announced the winners of The Pantomime Awards 2025, with the Outstanding Achievement award going to actress Elaine C Smith.
On Sunday, 13 April, the winners were revealed at a ceremony full of song and laughter at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. Elaine C Smith received the prestigious award for her exceptional contribution to the pantomime industry over many decades. She was also one of the evening’s presenters, alongside Dave Benson Phillips and La Voix.
Special Recognition Awards were given to:
- He’s Behind You! for Achievement in Inclusive Practice, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with their progressive queer pantomimes.
- Oxford Playhouse for Achievement in Innovation, recognized for their fresh re-appraisals of familiar fairytale narratives.
- Brick Lane Music Hall received the Nigel Ellacott Special Recognition Award for Pantomime History, Tradition, and Heritage, honoring their commitment to the traditions of Music Hall and Victorian Pantomime.
The full list of winners includes:
- Best Choreography: Ebony Clarke for Cinderella, Royal & Derngate, Northampton
- Best Lighting: Andy Webb for Sleeping Beauty, Festival Theatre, Malvern
- Best Magical Being: Danielle Jam for Jack and the Beanstalk, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
- Best Principal Lead: Mia Overfield for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fairfield Halls, Croydon
- Best Script: Anthony Spargo for Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre, London
- Best Secondary Lead: Mia Welsh for Dick Whittington, Theatre Royal Windsor
- Best Villain: Zoe West for Rapunzel, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool
- Best Comic: Steve Royle for Cinderella, Blackpool Grand Theatre
- Best Costume Design: Katie Lias for Sleeping Beauty, Salisbury Playhouse
- Best Dame: Antony Stuart-Hicks for The New Adventures of Peter Pan, Mercury Theatre, Colchester
- Best Direction: Chris Jordan for Snow White, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
- Best Ensemble: Nikki Schofield, Alanna Panditaratne, James Everest, Ariel Nyandoro, Jacob Stebbings for Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre, Halifax
- Best Contribution to Music: Tayo Akinbode for Mother Goose, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, Theatr Clwyd, Mold
- Best Set Design: Becky Minto for Mother Goose, Perth Theatre
- Best Sisters: Harry Howle and Steven Roberts for Cinderella, Cambridge Arts Theatre
- Best Sound: Kate Harvey for Jack and the Beanstalk, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford
- Best Supporting Artist: Marc Pickering for Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
- Best Newcomer to Pantomime: Owain Wyn Evans for Cinderella, New Theatre, Cardiff
- Best Newcomer to Industry: Emma Robertson for Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall
- Best Pantomime (Under 500 Seats): Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre
- Best Pantomime (500 – 900 Seats): Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall
- Best Pantomime (Over 900 Seats): Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
The ceremony featured performances from Anita Harris, Basil Brush, Kevin Cruise, and Jamie Leahey. Simon Sladen, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association, said, “Huge congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at The Pantomime Awards 2025! What a wonderful evening to celebrate excellence across the pantomime industry.”
Chris McGuigan of Trafalgar Entertainment and Claire Dixon of ATG Entertainment also expressed their pride in supporting the awards and celebrating the creativity and talent in pantomime.
More information can be found here.
