WhatsOnStage Awards 2026 round up!

In
- Awards
On March 9, 2026

The WhatsOnStage Awards 2026 took place last night an here is your full list of winners and all the news from the event.

What are the WhatsOnStage Awards?

Unlike other awards, these are voted for by the public! They began back in 2001 where the theatre news channel WhatsOnStage asked readers to vote on their preferred winners to that years Olivier Awards. When they differed significantly from the traditional awards results – the WhatsOnStage Awards was born! this year marks the awards 26th year and it’s third time at The London Palladium.

Winners of the WhatsOnStage Awards 2026:

The SINE Digital Best Performer in a Play Award

– Jonathan Bailey, Richard II – WINNER

Best Performer in a Musical – sponsored by Ticketmaster

– Rachel Zegler, Evita – WINNER

Best Supporting Performer in a Play

– Stephen Fry, The Importance of Being Earnest – WINNER

Best Supporting Performer in a Musical – sponsored by Newman Displays

– Amber Davies, The Great Gatsby – WINNER

Best Takeover Performance

– Emma Kingston, Wicked – WINNER

Best Professional Debut Performance – sponsored by AKA

– Timi Akinyosade, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

Best New Play – sponsored by Disney on Stage

– The Comedy About Spies, Henry Lewis and Henry Shields – WINNER

The Travelzoo Best New Musical Award

– Paddington The Musical, Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale – WINNER

The Londoner Best Play Revival Award

– Richard II, Bridge Theatre – WINNER

Best Musical Revival – sponsored by Concord Theatricals

– Evita, The London Palladium – WINNER

Audience Republic Best Regional Production

– 13 Going On 30 The Musical, Opera House, Manchester – WINNER

Best Studio Production – sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide

– Young Frankenstein, Hope Mill Theatre – WINNER

Best West End Show – sponsored by Dewynters

– Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre – WINNER

Best Concert Event

– Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium, The London Palladium – WINNER

Best Direction – sponsored by London Theatre Direct

– Luke Sheppard, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

Best Choreography – sponsored by LaDuca Shoes

– Fabian Aloise, Evita – WINNER

The Preevue Best Set Design Award

– Tom Pye, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

The White Light Best Lighting Design Award

– Jon Clark, Evita – WINNER

Best Sound Design – sponsored by HERE @ Outernet

– Gareth Owen, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

Best Video Design – sponsored by Studio Twenty

– Jamie Lloyd (Director), Nick Ward (Video Systems and Programmer) and David Anderson (Camera Supervisor), Evita – WINNER

Best Costume Design

– Gabriella Slade (costume design) and Tahra Zafar (Paddington design), Paddington The Musical – WINNER

Best Wigs, Hair and Make-up Design

– Rae Smith, with Kate Elizabeth, Campbell Young Associates and Adele Brandman, The Importance of Being Earnest – WINNER

Best Casting Direction

– Natalie Gallacher, for Pippa Ailion & Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle Davis, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

Best Music Supervision / Direction – sponsored by AudienceView

– Matt Brind, Paddington The Musical – WINNER

AudienceView Services to UK Theatre

James Graham

News From WhatsOnStage Awards 2026:

The Comedy About Spies is returning to the West End! Not only did the new play by Mischief Theatre pick up the award for Best New Play by they announced they are returning to the West Ends Adelphi Theatre this summer. The company beyond this comic masterpiece are also responsible for London’s Longest Running Comedy Play, The Play That Goes Wrong. The Award winning new comedy is playing from 1st August to 26th September 2026.