Everything To Know Ahead Of The Olivier Awards This Sunday

The Olivier Awards returns for its 2026 instalment this Sunday, 12 April. It’s the biggest night in British theatre, celebrating the best productions and performances across the West End and London theatre scene.

First established in 1976 and named after the actor Sir Laurence Olivier, this year’s ceremony is particularly significant as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards. Hosted annually by the Society of London Theatre, the awards recognise outstanding achievement across plays, musicals, opera and dance, and are widely considered the highest honour in British theatre. Over the past five decades, the Oliviers have recognised some of the most influential productions to appear in the West End. Notable moments include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child winning a record nine Olivier Awards in 2017 and the London production of Hamilton collecting seven awards in 2018. Performers including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren have also become closely associated with the awards across the years.

Held at the Royal Albert Hall, the ceremony combines an awards presentation with live performances from nominated productions, offering audiences a snapshot of the year’s most talked-about shows. This special 50th anniversary edition is presented in partnership with luxury British cruise liner Cunard, with Piper-Heidsieck as the official champagne for the night’s celebrations and Audi UK the official car partner. Camilla Foster of the latter calls the Olivier Awards ‘a cornerstone of the UK’s cultural calendar’, adding the ceremony is ‘an evening that celebrates not only exceptional talent, but the enduring power of live performance’.

‘As Official Car Partner, Audi is immensely proud to support an event whose ethos is rooted in bringing people together through creativity, while championing the artistry and excellence that define modern culture,’ Foster adds.

So what are the headlines in 2026? Here’s everything you need to know before the Olivier Awards take to London on Sunday 12 April 2026.

Olivier Awards with Cunard statuette. (Pamela Raith Photography)

A Guide To The Olivier Awards 2026

The 50th instalment of the Olivier Awards will take place on 12 April 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by actor and comedian Nick Mohammed. The ceremony will include performances from nominated productions alongside the presentation of awards across categories covering plays, musicals, opera and dance.

As well as celebrating major West End productions, the Olivier Awards also recognise the work that begins in London’s smaller theatres, fringe venues and regional companies before making it to the larger stages.

The Olivier Award statues. (Pamela Raith Photography)

Who’s Nominated?

The Olivier Awards cover over 20 categories recognising work across London theatre – and alongside these headline categories, the awards also recognise directing, choreography, design, lighting, sound and outstanding achievement in opera and dance.

Drumroll please… The 2026 nominees are:

Best New Play

• The Fear of 13 – Donmar Warehouse
• Giant – Royal Court Theatre
• Kyoto – @sohoplace
• Shifters – Duke of York’s Theatre

Best Revival

• All My Sons – Wyndham’s Theatre
• Machinal – The Old Vic
• The Seagull – Barbican Theatre
• Waiting for Godot – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Best Actor

• Adrien Brody, The Fear of 13
• John Lithgow, Giant
• Paapa Essiedu, Death of England: Delroy
• Mark Strong, Waiting for Godot

Best Actress

• Cate Blanchett, The Seagull
• Rosamund Pike, Inter Alia
• Marianne Jean-Baptiste, All My Sons
• Gina McKee, The Years

Best New Musical

• Here We Are – National Theatre
• Paddington: The Musical – Savoy Theatre
• Shucked – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Best Musical Revival

• American Psycho – Almeida Theatre
• Evita – London Palladium
• Into the Woods – Bridge Theatre
• The Producers – Garrick Theatre

Tammy Faye performance at the Olivier Awards 2023. (Christie Goodwin)

The Ceremony

The Olivier Awards ceremony combines the presentation of awards with performances from nominated productions. Cast members from leading musicals perform excerpts from their shows, while presenters include actors, directors, writers and public figures from across the theatre industry.

The event is attended by nominees, theatre professionals and invited guests, with audiences seated throughout the Royal Albert Hall.

What To Wear

The Olivier Awards are one of the most glamorous evenings in the theatre calendar, and guests typically opt for black tie or formal eveningwear, with Dior, Huishan Zhang, and Emilia Wickstead gracing the red carpet in previous years.

For those attending related events or after-parties, several London services offer eveningwear hire such as HURR, which allows guests to rent designer gowns and accessories for the evening.

The cast of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button perform at the Olivier Awards 2025. (Pamela Raith Photography)

Where & When

The Olivier Awards 2026 will take place at Royal Albert Hall, London, on 12 April 2026.

How To Watch

The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on the evening of Sunday 12 April. BBC Radio 2 will also air a two-hour programme from the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jo Whiley, featuring performances and interviews from across the night.