Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards reveals shortlists for the first time in 37 years
The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards have published their nominees for 2025, marking the first occasion the shortlist has been publicly announced in the awards’ 37-year history. The move aims to showcase a broader range of talent across UK theatre.
This year’s awards, voted on by UK-based theatre critics who are members of the Critics’ Circle, cover theatrical work from across 2025. The organisation has introduced a longlist and shortlist voting process for the first time to increase the diversity of contenders. Mark Lawson, chair of the Critics’ Circle Drama Section for 2026, said the tally included 179 candidates from venues of all sizes.
New categories have been added, such as Best Cast or Ensemble, intended to recognise the importance of ensemble work alongside individual performances. Emerging talent is notably well represented, with many nominees for Most Promising Playwright and Best Newcomer making their professional theatre debuts.
Among the nominees in key categories are Hayley Atwell and Tom Hiddleston, both shortlisted for Best Shakespearean Performance in Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Jonathan Bailey is also nominated in the same category for Richard II at the Bridge Theatre, while Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez appear for their roles in Evita at The London Palladium.
The Best New Play category features writers such as David Adjmi for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s, Alice Birch for Romans: a novel at Almeida, and James Graham for Punch at Young Vic/Apollo. Best Revival nominees include productions like All My Sons at Wyndham’s and Brigadoon at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Other categories highlight work in new musicals, directing, design, and acting across a variety of London theatres. The nominees for the newly renamed Empty Space…Peter Brook Award (In Memory of Blanche Marvin), honouring theatre programming and community efforts, will be announced separately next week.
The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the National Theatre on 26 March. This expanded and transparent nomination process reflects a shift towards greater inclusivity and recognition of diverse theatrical achievements across the UK.
