Acting for Others has announced the winners of the Golden Bucket Awards 2026 at a ceremony held at the Princes of Wales Theatre on Tuesday 21 April.
Hosted by Carl Mullaney, the event celebrated the supporters and fundraisers who have helped the theatrical charity raise vital funds since 2020 through bucket collections across UK theatres and a range of fundraising events.
The ceremony concluded with a performance by Sooz Kempner.
The inaugural Behind the Scenes Star award, presented by Ben Stock, was awarded to Jason Carlyle-Mills for Hadestown Live in the Delfont Room.
Encore Gifts received the Fabulous Fundraising award, presented by Christopher Biggins and Su Pollard, recognising their outstanding fundraising efforts in aid of Acting for Others.
The Special Recognition Award, presented by Samantha Spiro, went to Jeremy King for One Night Only’s 10th anniversary event at Simpson’s in The Strand.
The Fantastic Front of House Award was presented by Kim Ismay and awarded to the Harold Pinter Theatre for its exceptional efforts during the annual bucket collections.
The Golden Bucket Award for the London theatre that raised the most during the 2025 theatre collections was presented by Tom Read Wilson and awarded to The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Runners-up included The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noël Coward Theatre in second place, presented by Alice Fearn, and Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club at The Playhouse in third place, presented by Raj Ghatak.
Acting for Others provides financial and emotional support to those working in theatrical professions through its network of 14 partner charities.
More information can be found here.
The Golden Bucket Awards 2026 Winners in Full:
BEHIND THE SCENES STAR
Presented by Ben Stock
The inaugural award for someone that is not in the spotlight but is very much a shining star in their support for Acting for Others.
Winner: Jason Carlyle-Mills (Deputy Company Manager at Hadestown) for Hadestown Live in the Delfont Room
FABULOUS FUNDRAISING
Presented by Christopher Biggins and Su Pollard
This is the award for Fabulous Fundraising efforts in aid of Acting for Others.
Winner: Encore Gifts
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Presented by Samantha Spiro
This award is for someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Acting for Others with fundraisers over the years, and their support is invaluable.
Winner: Jeremy King (Restauranteur behind Jeremy King Restaurants including Simpson’s on the Strand) for One Night Only’s 10th anniversary at Simpson’s in The Strand
FANTASTIC FRONT OF HOUSE AWARD
Presented by Kim Ismay
This award is for a Front of House team for their fantastic efforts during the annual bucket’s collections. The Theatre staff, cast and company have gone above and beyond raise huge amounts for the charity.
Winner: Harold Pinter Theatre
THE GOLDEN BUCKET AWARD
Presented by Tom Read Wilson
This award is for the London theatre that raised the most in the 2025 Theatre collections.
Winner: The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre
RUNNERS-UP
2nd place – The Importance of Being Earnest, Noël Coward Theatre
Presented by Alice Fearn
3rd place – Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at The Playhouse
Presented by Raj Ghatak
