PADDINGTON and INTO THE WOODS Lead 2026 Olivier Award Nominations

The nominations for the 2026 Olivier Awards have been revealed, with two very different musicals emerging as the dominant forces in this year’s race. PADDINGTON: THE MUSICAL and the Bridge Theatre revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s INTO THE WOODS have each secured 11 nominations, tying for the most recognised productions of the year and setting up an intriguing contest across multiple categories.

The Olivier Awards, widely regarded as the highest honours in British theatre, celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 12 April, hosted by comedian and actor Nick Mohammed.

The double leadership by PADDINGTON and INTO THE WOODS highlights the breadth of the current West End landscape, with one production drawing from beloved children’s literature and the other revisiting one of musical theatre’s most sophisticated and enduring works.
A bear leads the charge

PADDINGTON: THE MUSICAL, currently playing at the Savoy Theatre, has proved one of the season’s most surprising success stories. Based on Michael Bond’s cherished character, the show features music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale. Its heartwarming tone and imaginative staging have translated into strong critical reception and, now, widespread recognition from Olivier voters.

Among its 11 nominations are nods for Best New Musical and Best Director for Luke Sheppard. The production has also been recognised across numerous performance and design categories, demonstrating the scale of the creative effort behind bringing the iconic marmalade-loving bear to life on stage.

Notably, James Hameed and Arti Shah share a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for their dual portrayal of Paddington, with Hameed providing the voice and puppetry while Shah performs in costume. Supporting performers including Amy Booth–Steel and Victoria Hamilton–Barritt have also earned nominations, further reflecting the production’s ensemble strength.

Design elements have played a significant role in the show’s recognition, with nominations spanning costume design, puppetry, orchestrations, and sound, highlighting the technical sophistication required to bring the beloved bear from page to stage.

Sharing the nominations crown is the Bridge Theatre’s acclaimed revival of INTO THE WOODS. Directed by Jordan Fein, the production has been widely praised for its fresh interpretation of Sondheim’s fairy-tale mash-up, which intertwines characters from classic stories including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk.

The show is nominated for Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Fein, alongside multiple acting nominations for performers including Jamie Parker, Katie Brayben, Jo Foster, Oliver Savile, and Kate Fleetwood.

Its recognition extends beyond performance categories to include design and technical achievements, underlining the enduring impact of Sondheim’s score and the inventive staging required to bring the complex narrative to life.

The revival arrives during a continuing period of renewed appreciation for Sondheim’s work following his death in 2021, with productions of his musicals continuing to find enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim.

While PADDINGTON and INTO THE WOODS lead the nominations, the musical categories remain highly competitive. In the Best New Musical category, PADDINGTON faces strong competition from HERE WE ARE, the European premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, alongside Shucked and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.

Meanwhile, INTO THE WOODS will compete for Best Musical Revival against AMERICAN PSYCHO, EVITA, and THE PRODUCERS, each bringing a distinct musical theatre style and audience following.

Several musical performers have also been singled out in the acting categories, including Diego Andres Rodriguez for EVITA, Marc Antolin and Andy Nyman for THE PRODUCERS, and Jamie Parker for INTO THE WOODS.

Beyond the musical categories, several straight plays have also made a significant impact on the nominations list. ALL MY SONS, KENREX, and STERIOPHONIC have each received six nominations, making them the most recognised plays of the year.

The acting categories feature a number of high-profile performers. Among those nominated are Tom Hiddleston for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Bryan Cranston for ALL MY SONS, and Rosamund Pike, highlighting the continued presence of major film and television talent on the London stage.

Other productions recognised in various categories include ARCADIA, THE SEAGULL, and PUNCH, reflecting the diversity of theatre currently being produced across the West End and beyond.

This year’s nominations come at a particularly significant moment for the Olivier Awards, which are marking their 50th anniversary. Established in 1976 by the Society of London Theatre, the awards have grown into one of the most prestigious honours in the international theatre calendar.

Over the decades, the ceremony has celebrated some of the most influential productions and artists working in the UK, while also helping to spotlight emerging talent and innovative new work.

The 2026 ceremony promises to continue that tradition, bringing together the industry’s biggest stars and most celebrated productions at the Royal Albert Hall in April.

With PADDINGTON: THE MUSICAL and INTO THE WOODS tied at the top of the nominations list, the stage is set for a closely contested awards night, one that reflects both the enduring power of classic musical theatre and the imaginative possibilities of new storytelling on the West End stage.