WhatsOnStage has announced the shortlist for the first-ever Best Child Performance category at the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, created in association with official charity partner Go Live Theatre.
The new award recognises exceptional young talent performing on UK stages over the past year. Voting for all categories, including Best Child Performance, is open until 22 January at www.awards.whatsonstage.com, with winners revealed at the ceremony on 8 March 2026 at The London Palladium.
Chief Executive of Go Live Theatre, Sita McIntosh, said: “Go Live Theatre is incredibly proud to be the Official Charity Partner of the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards and the sponsor of the very first Best Child Performance Award – a landmark opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary emerging talent appearing on our stages today.”
Nominees for Best Child Performance include:
• Paddington The Musical – Savoy Theatre: Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare, Jasper Rowse
• Evita – The London Palladium: Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar, Ffion Rosalie Williams
• Wild Rose – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh: Lily Ferguson, Jessie-Lou Harvie, Ayla Sherriff
• The Land of the Living – National Theatre: Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Artie Wilkinson-Hunt, Anton Vehring
• 13 Going on 30 the Musical – Manchester Opera House: Amelia Minto, Fearne Lily King I’anson, Max Bispham, George Hamblin
The winner will be announced in a special video presentation during the ceremony, which will feature exclusive live performances and is co-produced by Alex Parker and Damian Sandys. Tickets are available via LW Theatres
