The 2026 Olivier Award nominations are in, and London theatre has never looked this exciting. From Stephen Sondheim's final musical to a bear called Paddington taking the West End by storm, this year's nominees span revivals, new writing, boundary-pushing comedies and musicals that are genuinely unlike anything else on a London stage right now.

The winners will be announced at a special 50th anniversary ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 April 2026, hosted by Nick Mohammed and broadcast live on BBC television and radio. But you don't need to wait until then to see the shows making waves. Many of the nominated productions are still running or have tickets available, and knowing what's been recognised can help you decide what to book next.

Here's your complete guide to the nominations, what they mean, and which shows deserve a spot on your must-see list.

Best New Musical: Four Very Different Stories

The Cunard Best New Musical category this year is a fascinating mix. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at the Theatre Royal Haymarket adapts Rachel Joyce's bestselling novel about a retired man who sets off on an impromptu walk across England, with music and lyrics by Passenger. It's gentle, moving, and quietly powerful. Jenna Russell leads the cast, and her nomination in the Best Actress in a Musical category tells you everything about the emotional weight she brings.

Then there's Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, which has racked up nominations across nearly every technical and performance category this year. Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale have turned Michael Bond's beloved bear into a full-scale West End musical, and the production's seven nominations make it one of the most recognised shows of the season. Perfect for families, but clever and warm enough that adults will find themselves genuinely moved.

Here We Are at the National Theatre represents Sondheim's final work, with a book by David Ives and a starry cast featuring Jane Krakowski and Tracie Bennett, both nominated for their performances. And Shucked, the country-music comedy that charmed Broadway, found a new home at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre with a nomination that proves London audiences connected with its irreverent humour too.

Best Musical Revival: Heavy Hitters Return

This is arguably the strongest revival category in years. Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre is the frontrunner with nominations sprawling across acting, design and direction. Jordan Fein's immersive staging puts the audience inside the forest, and the promenade format has turned this Sondheim classic into a completely different theatrical experience. Jamie Parker and Katie Brayben both earned acting nominations, alongside Jo Foster, Kate Fleetwood and Oliver Savile in supporting roles. If you haven't seen it yet, this is one of those productions people will talk about for years.

Evita at the London Palladium brought Rachel Zegler to the West End in Jamie Lloyd's stripped-back production, and both Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez picked up nominations for their performances. Fabian Aloise's choreography and Jon Clark's lighting design also earned recognition, making this one of the most technically celebrated revivals on the list.

The Producers at the Garrick Theatre landed three acting nominations: Marc Antolin and Andy Nyman in the lead category, plus Trevor Ashley in supporting. Mel Brooks' outrageous comedy about the worst musical ever made clearly hasn't lost any of its bite. And American Psycho at the Almeida rounds out the category with a nomination for Lynne Page's choreography.

Best New Play and Best Revival: Writing Takes Centre Stage

The Best New Play nominees showcase the range of London's new writing scene. 1536 by Ava Pickett at the Almeida Theatre earned a nomination for director Lyndsey Turner alongside the play itself. Inter Alia by Suzie Miller at the National Theatre stars Rosamund Pike, who's nominated for Best Actress, while Punch by James Graham picked up nominations for David Shields (Best Actor), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Best Actress in a Supporting Role), plus lighting and sound design nods.

KENREX by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian at The Other Palace is a dark horse worth watching. Holden earned a Best Actor nomination, Stambollouian is up for Best Director, and the production collected nominations for lighting, sound and musical contribution. That's a lot of recognition for a show at a smaller venue, and it speaks to how powerful this piece has been.

In the revival category, All My Sons at Wyndham's Theatre dominates. Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste both earned lead acting nominations, Paapa Essiedu and Hayley Squires are recognised in supporting roles, and Ivo van Hove's direction earned him a spot in the Best Director category. Arcadia at The Old Vic, Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane (with Tom Hiddleston nominated for Best Actor) and The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre (starring Cate Blanchett, also nominated) round out a revival lineup that reads like a who's who of international theatre talent.

Best Entertainment or Comedy Play: Laughs Across London

The Noel Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play is packed with crowd-pleasers. The Comedy About Spies at the Noel Coward Theatre comes from the Mischief Theatre team behind The Play That Goes Wrong, and if you've seen any of their previous work, you know exactly what kind of brilliantly chaotic evening you're in for. Think 1960s espionage meets slapstick genius.

Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar Theatre transferred from a smash-hit Off-Broadway run and has been packing houses with its wildly irreverent take on Mary Todd Lincoln. Giles Terera picked up a supporting actor nomination for his performance, adding to the show's growing list of accolades. Every Brilliant Thing at @sohoplace and Paranormal Activity at the Ambassadors Theatre complete a comedy category with genuine variety, from heartfelt one-person storytelling to full-on theatrical thrills.

The Performances: Star Power and Fresh Talent

The acting categories this year are stacked. In Best Actress, Cate Blanchett (The Seagull), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (All My Sons), Rosamund Pike (Inter Alia), Julia McDermott (Weather Girl) and Rosie Sheehy (Guess How Much I Love You? at the Royal Court) make for one of the most competitive fields in recent memory. Three of those five are appearing in nominated plays, which gives you an idea of how strong the writing is this year.

Best Actor features Bryan Cranston and Sean Hayes, both bringing serious Hollywood credentials to London stages, alongside Tom Hiddleston, Jack Holden and David Shields. Hayes' nomination for Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican also comes with an Outstanding Musical Contribution credit for his live piano performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue during the show.

The musical acting categories are equally compelling. Rachel Zegler's Best Actress in a Musical nomination for Evita sits alongside Jane Krakowski (Here We Are), Jenna Russell (Harold Fry), Katie Brayben (Into the Woods) and Danielle Fiamanya and Georgina Onuorah's joint nomination for Brigadoon. In the men's category, Jamie Parker leads the Into the Woods charge, while the Producers duo of Antolin and Nyman both compete for the same prize.

Design and Technical Categories: The Unsung Heroes

If you want to know which productions are truly firing on all cylinders, look at the design categories. Into the Woods appears in costume design, set design, lighting and sound. Paddington The Musical matches it with nominations for costume, set, sound and choreography. Stereophonic at the Duke of York's Theatre picks up nominations for costume design, set design and sound design, alongside acting and musical contribution recognition. It's the most Tony-nominated play of all time on Broadway, and its West End transfer is clearly making the same kind of impact.

The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum earned nominations for set design, costume design and a supporting actor nod for Corbin Bleu, proving that the Broadway transfer's visual spectacle has translated beautifully to one of London's grandest venues.

Insider Tips for Catching the Nominees

Book sooner rather than later. Olivier nominations almost always trigger a spike in ticket sales, especially for limited runs. Shows at smaller venues like The Other Palace (KENREX) and the Almeida (1536) have fewer seats available per performance, so these tend to sell out fastest once nominations are announced.

Midweek performances are your best bet for availability across the board. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings typically have the most open seats, and you'll often find better pricing too. If you're flexible on dates, this is the easiest way to see more nominated shows without stretching your budget.

For the immersive experience at Into the Woods, promenade tickets offer the most distinctive theatrical experience in London right now. Standing in the forest as the action unfolds around you is genuinely unlike anything else. Wear comfortable shoes and arrive early to position yourself centrally.

The London Palladium for Evita and the London Coliseum for The Great Gatsby are two of London's largest theatres, which means more seats available per performance and a better chance of finding tickets even after the nomination buzz. Both venues have step-free access at Stalls level and hearing loops available.

If you're planning a theatre weekend around the nominees, cluster your shows geographically. The Comedy About Spies at the Noel Coward, The Producers at the Garrick and Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar are all within a short walk of each other in the heart of the West End, making it easy to catch a matinee and an evening show in the same day.

Arrive at least 25 minutes before curtain at any West End theatre. This gives you time to collect tickets, grab a programme and settle in without rushing. Most of the nominated venues have bars open before the show and during intervals, though queues at popular productions can be long, so pre-ordering drinks where available saves time.

Which Nominees Should You See?

That depends on what you're after. For a big, joyful musical evening, Paddington The Musical is the feel-good choice with serious craft behind it. For something more adventurous, Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre offers a once-in-a-generation staging of a Sondheim masterpiece. If you want pure comedy, The Comedy About Spies and Oh, Mary! are guaranteed to leave you laughing. And for heavyweight drama with world-class performers, All My Sons with Bryan Cranston and Marianne Jean-Baptiste is the production to prioritise.

The 2026 Olivier Awards highlight just how strong London's theatre scene is right now. Whether you're drawn to a new musical, a reimagined classic or a play that challenges and surprises, there's a nominated show that fits. Browse all London theatre tickets on tickadoo to find your next West End evening, and join the free tickadoo+ membership to earn rewards on every booking, from theatre tickets to your next trip.