The London Standard Theatre Awards have announced their winners, celebrating standout theatrical performances and productions from the past year. Notable victors include Rachel Zegler for Evita, Hayley Atwell for Much Ado About Nothing, and Brendan Gleeson for The Weir.

The London Standard Theatre Awards, the UK’s oldest theatre prizes founded in 1955, returned in 2024 after a brief pause. The awards recognise the best productions from the last year, with winners selected across various categories including acting, directing and design.

Rachel Zegler won Best Musical Performance for her role in Evita at the London Palladium, which also took home Best Musical. Hayley Atwell was named Best Actress for her performance in Much Ado About Nothing at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where the production also received a nod for Best Production design by Soutra Gilmour.

Brendan Gleeson secured Best Actor for his work in The Weir, staged at the Harold Pinter Theatre. The awards also recognised Omar Elerian as Best Director for Rhinoceros at the Almeida Theatre, while James Graham’s Punch, performed at the Young Vic and Apollo Theatre, was awarded Best Play.

Stereophonic, at the Duke of York’s Theatre, won Best Production for its set and costume design by David Zinn and Enver Chakartash, underscoring the show’s visual impact. The Newly emergent talent category highlighted Gracie Oddie-James for The Lady from the Sea at the Bridge Theatre.

In other categories, Cate Blanchett received a special Lebedev award from Standard proprietor Evgeny Lebedev, and Stephen Fry was honoured with a supplementary comedy award for his portrayal of Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest.

The ceremony displays the diversity and talent flourishing across London’s stages, reaffirming the Standard Awards’ role in spotlighting both established and emerging theatre artists and productions.