The West End Wilma Awards, in association with Free@Last TV Ltd and The Format Factory, have unveiled the shortlist for their 10th anniversary awards, with public voting now open to decide this year’s winners.
The awards celebrate the very best of UK theatre, including performers and creatives who are often overlooked by traditional awards ceremonies through categories such as Best Understudy, Best Ensemble Performer and Best Swing.
Hosted by Tim McArthur, this year’s ceremony will return to its roots, with winners announced at an exclusive VIP event at Freedom in Soho, the venue that hosted the very first West End Wilma Awards in 2014.
More than 10,000 public nominations were submitted across the categories before being narrowed down to three finalists in each category.
The shortlisted nominees have now been put back to the public, who will decide the winners through an online vote.
Voting is now open here.
West End Wilma 2026 Shortlisted Nominees:
RISING STAR
- Imogen Bailey
- Robyn Gilbertson
- Mary-Comfort Olabisi
BEST SWING – Sponsored by R B Emerson Ltd
- Rebecca D’Lacey (Ride The Cyclone)
- Imogen Bailey (High Society)
- Lauren Hampton (Legally Blonde)
BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMER
- Connor Wilkins (I’m Every Woman)
- Aimee Fisher (Paddington)
- Emily Squibb (MAMMA MIA!)
BEST UNDERSTUDY – Sponsored by Healthy Tailz: Physio for Dogs
- Rebecca D’Lacey (Ride The Cyclone)
- Imogen Bailey (High Society)
- Ryan Pidgen (The Producers)
BEST WEST END SHOW
- Beetlejuice
- Dracula
- Paddington
BEST OFF-WEST END SHOW
- Redcliffe (Southwark Playhouse)
- Ride The Cyclone (Southwark Playhouse)
- Dark Of The Moon (Charing Cross Theatre)
BEST TOURING SHOW
- Legally Blonde
- Waitress
- Operation Mincemeat
Robin Windsor Award for BEST PERFORMER IN A WEST END SHOW
- Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Paddington)
- Leesa Tulley (Six)
- Cameron Vear (Titanique)
BEST PERFORMER IN AN OFF-WEST END SHOW
- Glenn Adamson (Dark Of The Moon)
- Justin Cartledge (Lighthouse)
- Robyn Gilbertson (Ride The Cyclone)
BEST CABARET / SOLO SHOW
- Eurovision Your Decision (Royal Vauxhall Tavern)
- Lucie Jones (London Palladium)
- Glenn Adamson (Straight Out Of Hell)
BEST EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL SHOW – Sponsored by Mischief
- Bliss (Pleasance Courtyard)
- Slay (Gilded Balloon)
- Lighthouse (Greenside)
