The winners of the 2026 UK Theatre Awards were announced on Monday 12 October at a ceremony in London, highlighting outstanding productions and talent across British theatre. Notable victories include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Prima Facie star Jodie Comer receiving the inaugural Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre prize.

The 2026 UK Theatre Awards, sponsored by Encore, took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London, hosted by La Voix. The ceremony recognised excellence across categories from musicals and plays to dance, opera, and education.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a Birmingham Rep production, won Best Musical Production, triumphing over nominations including Calendar Girls The Musical and Kiss Of The Spider Woman.

Jodie Comer, lead of the hit touring production Prima Facie by Suzie Miller, was honoured with the Outstanding Achievement in British Theatre award, reflecting her impact on stage following the play’s success in the West End and Broadway.

The Last Stand Of Mrs Mary Whitehouse, a co-production by Nottingham Playhouse, Eleanor Lloyd Productions, and Kate Pakenham, took the Best New Play award, defeating contenders Black Sheep and The Manningtree Witches.

In the Best Play Revival category, Our Town, a Welsh National Theatre and Rose Theatre co-production, was recognised among strong competition including Road and Small Island.

Tom Littler collected Best Director for his work on Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing, staged by Guildford Shakespeare Company and Orange Tree Theatre, while Julianne Pundan won Best Performance in a Musical for Miss Saigon.

Adrian Lester earned Best Performance in a Play for Cyrano De Bergerac with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Gloria Obianyo was awarded Best Supporting Performance for her role in As You Like It, presented by Theatre Royal Bath.

Ceci Calf took Best Design for set and costume on The Assassination Of Margaret Thatcher at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and Beauty And The Beast from Citizens Theatre won Best Show for Children & Young People.

Awards for dance, opera, arts education, touring, inclusivity, sustainability, and workforce culture also featured prominently, highlighting the broad spectrum of achievements recognised by the UK Theatre Awards.

This year’s ceremony underlined the vitality and diversity of UK theatre, celebrating productions that range from classic revivals to bold new works and reinforcing the importance of recognising talent across all theatrical disciplines.