The stage adaptation of the beloved Paddington stories has made a significant impact at the Olivier Awards, celebrating its 50th anniversary by securing seven awards in total.
This production, featuring music by Tom Fletcher of McFly, was honored with the title of best new musical, alongside three acting awards, as well as accolades for direction, costume design, and set design.
Among the notable winners of the evening was American actress Rachel Zegler, who brought a contemporary twist to a classic role in a new rendition of Evita.
While accepting the award for best new musical, writer Jessica Swale expressed her gratitude, stating it was „such an honour to be trusted with a very special bear.“ Fletcher added that the cast had become „a family,“ emphasizing their aim to create a show that celebrates kindness. He remarked, „To be part of this group of people that is putting that out into the world at this time feels so special, thank you so much.“
Key Highlights from the Evening
Paddington’s accolades included the award for best actor in a musical, which was shared between James Hameed, who voices the bear, and Arti Shah, who portrays Paddington on stage. Shah expressed her appreciation for the cast and crew, dedicating her win to her family and telling her young son, „I’m going to keep making you proud, and keep showing you that being different is a good thing.“
Evita also garnered recognition, winning two awards, including best actress in a musical for Zegler, who previously earned a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Maria in the film adaptation of West Side Story.
In her acceptance speech, Zegler expressed her gratitude to London for its warm welcome, stating, „I never could’ve imagined it.“ She made headlines for her unique performance of „Don’t Cry For Me Argentina“ from the outdoor balcony of the London Palladium, which attracted large crowds and was live-streamed to the audience inside the theater.
„It was the honour of a lifetime singing to the people on Argyll Street eight times a week, I can’t believe I got so lucky to sing in front of thousands of you,“ Zegler said. „It’s so beautiful that Jamie Lloyd made such an accessible moment of theatre for people to walk by and witness something really really cool.“
Additional Winners and Notable Moments
Rosamund Pike took home the award for best actress in a play for her role in the legal drama Inter Alia, overcoming competition from renowned actresses such as Cate Blanchett and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Pike remarked, „I can’t believe it. I haven’t done any theatre for 14 years; it was a huge, exhilarating risk to come back and be invited by the National Theatre, home of so much wonderful work, to do this special play.“
A new rendition of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons also won two awards, including best supporting actor for Paapa Essiedu, who gained access to theatre through a youth talent development program. He urged continued funding for such initiatives, stating, „I urge everyone in this room, at home, and at governmental level, to continue funding these organisations to make sure the next generation of theatre-makers have the opportunities that I had.“
James Graham’s play Punch, based on a true story about a tragic incident involving a young man and a trainee paramedic, also received two awards, including best new play and best supporting actress for Julie Hesmondhalgh.
Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods was recognized with two awards, including best musical revival, while Kenrex, a one-man play about the 1981 murder of Ken Rex McElroy, saw its star Jack Holden win best actor in a play. Holden humorously noted, „Most people watching this at home won’t know who I am, which is quite funny, and being in that esteemed company of nominees is crazy to me, but to have this is even crazier.“
Special Recognition and Ceremony Details
Dame Elaine Paige received a special award for her six-decade career in theatre, describing the recognition as a „pinch-me moment, quite wonderful.“ She reflected on her journey, stating, „Music and theatre have been the major force in my life, and when I look back, I can hardly believe the journey and the longevity of it all.“ Paige concluded her speech by expressing gratitude for every collaboration and performance that led her to this moment.
The Olivier Awards, established in 1976, honor the finest theatrical productions and performances in the UK over the past year. This year’s ceremony took place at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by actor and comedian Nick Mohammed, and featured anniversary performances from West End classics such as Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera. Musical performances from Paddington, Evita, Into The Woods, The Producers, Shucked, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry were also showcased during the event.
Complete List of Winners
Best new musical
- WINNER: Paddington The Musical
- Here We Are
- Shucked
- The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Best new play
- WINNER: Punch
- 1536
- Inter Alia
- Kenrex
Best revival
- WINNER: All My Sons
- Arcadia
- Much Ado About Nothing
- The Seagull
Best musical revival
- WINNER: Into The Woods
- American Psycho
- Evita
- The Producers
Best new entertainment or comedy play
- WINNER: Oh, Mary!
- The Comedy About Spies
- Every Brilliant Thing
- Paranormal Activity
Best actress
- WINNER: Rosamund Pike, Inter Alia
- Cate Blanchett, The Seagull
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste, All My Sons
- Julia McDermott, Weather Girl
- Rosie Sheehy, Guess How Much I Love You?
Best actor
- WINNER: Jack Holden, Kenrex
- Bryan Cranston, All My Sons
- Tom Hiddleston, Much Ado About Nothing
- Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar
- David Shields, Punch
Best actress in a musical
- WINNER: Rachel Zegler, Evita
- Katie Brayben, Into The Woods
- Danielle Fiamanya & Georgina Onuorah, Brigadoon
- Jane Krakowski, Here We Are
- Jenna Russell, The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Best actor in a musical
- WINNER: James Hameed & Arti Shah, Paddington The Musical
- Marc Antolin, The Producers
- Andy Nyman, The Producers
- Jamie Parker, Into The Woods
- Diego Andres Rodriguez, Evita
Best supporting actor
- WINNER: Paapa Essiedu, All My Sons
- Hammed Animashaun, Dealer’s Choice
- Zachary Hart, The Seagull
- Zachary Hart, Stereophonic
- Giles Terera, Oh, Mary!
Best supporting actress
- WINNER: Julie Hesmondhalgh, Punch
- Isis Hainsworth, Arcadia
- Lucy Karczewski, Stereophonic
- Hayley Squires, All My Sons
- Sophie Thompson, When We Are Married
Best supporting actor in a musical
- WINNER: Tom Edden, Paddington The Musical
- Trevor Ashley, The Producers
- Corbin Bleu, The Great Gatsby
- Jo Foster, Into The Woods
- Oliver Savile, Into The Woods
Best supporting actress in a musical
- WINNER: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Paddington The Musical
- Tracie Bennett, Here We Are
- Amy Booth-Steel, Paddington The Musical
- Kate Fleetwood, Into The Woods
- Georgina Onuorah, Shucked
Best director
- WINNER: Luke Sheppard, Paddington The Musical
- Jordan Fein, Into The Woods
- Ed Stambollouian, Kenrex
- Lyndsey Turner, 1536
- Ivo van Hove, All My Sons
Best new dance production
- WINNER: Into The Hairy
- Mimi’s Shebeen
- Random Taranto
- She’s Auspicious
Best new production in affiliate theatre
- WINNER: The Glass Menagerie
- Ben And Imo
- The Ministry Of Lesbian Affairs
- Miss Myrtle’s Garden
- The Shitheads
Best family show
- WINNER: The Boy At The Back Of The Class
- The Boy With Wings
- The Firework Maker’s Daughter
- The Three Little Pigs
Best new opera production
- WINNER: Dead Man Walking
- The Makropulos Case
- Tosca
- Die Walküre
Best sound design
- WINNER: Giles Thomas, Kenrex
- Adam Fisher, Into The Woods
- Gareth Owen, Paddington The Musical
- Ryan Rumery, Stereophonic
Outstanding musical contribution
- WINNER: Chris Fenwick & Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar
- Matt Brind, Paddington The Musical
- Will Butler & Justin Craig, Stereophonic
- John Patrick Elliott, Kenrex
Best lighting design
- WINNER: Aideen Malone & Roland Horvath, Into The Woods
- Robbie Butler, Punch
- Jon Clark, Evita
- Joshua Pharo, Kenrex
Best set design
- WINNER: Tom Pye & Ash J Woodward, Paddington The Musical
- Paul Tate dePoo III, The Great Gatsby – A New Musical
- Tom Scutt, Into The Woods
- David Zinn, Stereophonic
Best costume design
- WINNER: Gabriella Slade & Tahra Zafar, Paddington The Musical
- Enver Chakartash, Stereophonic
- Linda Cho, The Great Gatsby
- Tom Scutt, Into The Woods
Best theatre choreographer
- WINNER: Fabian Aloise, Evita
- Ellen Kane, Paddington The Musical
- Drew McOnie, Brigadoon
- Lynne Page, American Psycho
Bildquelle: Foto von Georg Eiermann auf Unsplash
