The winners of this year’s Ian Charleson Awards have been announced at the National Theatre, celebrating exceptional performances by actors under 30 in classical roles. The accolade highlights emerging talent in productions of plays written before 1918.

The Ian Charleson Awards ceremony took place recently at London’s National Theatre, recognising standout performances in classical theatre. Named after the late actor Ian Charleson, the prize rewards young actors delivering notable interpretations of roles from plays predating 1918.

Isis Hainsworth, 27, won first prize for her work in Measure for Measure with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was followed by Stuart Thompson, 26, who received second prize for Three Sisters at Shakespeare’s Globe. Mason Alexander Park, 29, took third prize for roles in The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

In addition to the top three, the judges awarded commendations to 12 performers across a variety of classic productions. Francesca Mills was recognised for Hamlet at the National Theatre, and Daniel Adeosun was commended for Much Ado About Nothing with the RSC. Other commendations included Rawaed Asde for Romeo and Juliet, and Imogen Elliott for As You Like It.

The awards list also featured Kitty Hawthorne for The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre and Noël Coward Theatre, Kasper Hilton-Hille for Troilus and Cressida at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Kyle Ndukuba in Romeo and Juliet across Bristol Old Vic, Hackney Empire, and Coventry Belgrade.

Further commendations went to Nia Towle for Hamlet with the RSC, Harmony Rose-Bremner for The Seagull at Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Chichester Festival Theatre, and Ned Costello for Titus Andronicus with the RSC, underscoring the depth of emerging talent across the classical stage.

The Ian Charleson Awards continue to spotlight rising actors lauded for their dedication to classical theatre, maintaining the memory of Ian Charleson and encouraging the future of the UK’s theatrical tradition.