The winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2025 were revealed today at a glittering ceremony hosted by Faye Tozer at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.
Now in its 30th year, the annual event celebrates creative excellence and outstanding achievements in theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sheffield Theatres and Chester’s Storyhouse led the pack with two wins each. KENREX, co-produced with Aria Entertainment, earned Jack Holden the award for Best Performance in a Play, while Pig Heart Boy, a collaboration with Children’s Theatre Partnership and Unicorn Theatre, won Best Show for Children & Young People.
Storyhouse triumphed with The Parent Agency, co-produced with Scenario Two, which saw Rakesh Boury and Rebecca McKinnis jointly win Best Performance in a Musical. The venue also received the Excellence in Inclusivity award.
Other major winners included Jesus Christ Superstar (Watermill Theatre) for Best Musical Production, Flumps (Mercury Original with The Thelmas) for Best New Play, and Animal Farm (Leeds Playhouse & Stratford East with Nottingham Playhouse) for Best Play Revival.
Georgie Henley won Best Supporting Performance for The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs, while Prasanna Puwanarajah was named Best Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Twelfth Night.
The Best Design award went to the creative team behind Confessions Of A Shinagawa Monkey, a Vanishing Point and Kanagawa Arts Theatre co-production, with scenography by Kei Ishihara/BlankRD, costume design by Sacico Ito/Brucke, lighting by Simon Wilkinson, and puppetry by Ailie Cohen.
In the dance and opera categories, Natural Behaviour by Thick & Tight won Achievement in Dance, and Welsh National Opera’s Peter Grimes took home Achievement in Opera.
Off Stage Awards recognised Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for Excellence in Arts Education, Theatre By The Lake for Excellence in Touring, BEAM in Hertford for Excellence in Sustainability, and Orchard Theatre & Orchard West Theatre for Excellence in Workforce Culture.
Northampton’s Royal & Derngate was named the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre, beating out Birmingham Rep and Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Carlos Acosta CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, received the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award, honouring his extraordinary career and dedication to expanding access to dance.
Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said:
“This year’s UK Theatre Awards have once again shone a spotlight on the breadth and brilliance of work taking place across the UK. From inspiring community projects to world-class productions, the talent and dedication of our members makes us immensely proud.
Our congratulations go to all of the winners and nominees, and our thanks to the sponsors and partners who make these awards possible. It’s been a joy to celebrate another remarkable year of UK theatre with you all.”
More information can be found here.
Full List of UK Theatre Awards 2025 Winners
On Stage Awards:
- Best Musical Production: Jesus Christ Superstar, Watermill Theatre by arrangement with LW Entertainment
- Best New Play: Flumps, Mercury Original in association with The Thelmas
- Best Play Revival: Animal Farm, Leeds Playhouse & Stratford East in association with Nottingham Playhouse
- Best Director: Prasanna Puwanarajah for Twelfth Night, Royal Shakespeare Company
- Best Performance in a Musical: Rakesh Boury & Rebecca McKinnis for The Parent Agency, Scenario Two & Storyhouse
- Best Performance in a Play: Jack Holden for KENREX, Sheffield Theatres & Aria Entertainment
- Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play): Georgie Henley for The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs, Kiln Theatre, Antic Productions & Damsel Productions
- Best Design: Kei Ishihara/BlankRD (Scenography), Sacico Ito/Brucke (Costume Design), Simon Wilkinson (Lighting Design), Ailie Cohen (Puppet Design) for Confessions Of A Shinagawa Monkey, Vanishing Point & Kanagawa Arts Theatre in association with Tramway, Dundee Rep & The Japan Foundation
- Best Show for Children & Young People: Pig Heart Boy, Children’s Theatre Partnership, Unicorn Theatre & Sheffield Theatres
- Achievement in Dance: Natural Behaviour by Thick & Tight
- Achievement in Opera: Peter Grimes, Welsh National Opera
Off Stage Awards:
- Excellence in Arts Education: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for Cross The Line
- Excellence in Touring: Theatre By The Lake for Steel: Regional & National Tour
- Excellence in Inclusivity: Storyhouse
- Excellence in Sustainability: BEAM, Hertford
- Excellence in Workforce Culture: Orchard Theatre & Orchard West Theatre
- UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre: Royal & Derngate
- Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre: Carlos Acosta CBE
