The moment you’ve been waiting for is here. You know the date, you know the venue, you know the host and now you finally know the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard.
With just under six weeks to go until the ceremony on Sunday 12 April, let’s take a deeper look at the shows that swept the nominations and how to get tickets so you can see the shows that everyone’s talking about.
Paddington The Musical
11 nominations including Cunard Best New Musical
What a year decade it’s been for Paddington Bear. Following his hugely popular books and a series of films (that some consider better than even Citizen Kane), rumours were abound that the bear would make it from deepest darkest Peru to the West End stage.
In November 2025 those rumours came true when the hit musical premiered at the Savoy Theatre, with music and lyrics from McFly’s Tom Fletcher and a book by Olivier Award winner Jessica Swale.
The long-awaited show surpassed its high expectations, wowing audiences and critics alike – and that’s reflected in its 11 nominations, tied for the most this year, including Cunard Best Musical. The show is already all-but-sold-out to August with best availability from September onwards so don’t hang around, book now and make your marmalade sandwiches later.
Into The Woods
11 nominations including Best Musical Revival
It’s been four years since legendary composer Stephen Sondheim sadly passed away but his legacy continues to live on. Bridge Theatre’s revival of one of his most loved shows – Into The Woods – continues a hot streak of shows for Jordan Feinnominated for the second year in a row for Best Director.
Into The Woods asks the simple question ‘what happens after happily ever after?’ and follows a string of familiar Grimm Fairy Tale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and Cinderella beyond the stories you already know about them.
Along with Sondheim’s signature music, this production features a gorgeous woodlands set with atmospheric lighting and a wealth of riches in its accomplished stagey cast, five of whom have been nominated across the four performing categories.
The show is booking until 30 May, so don’t miss out.
The Producers
Four nominations including Best Musical Revival
Based on Mel Brooks’ black comedy about a mild-mannered accountant and a swindling theatre producer, this hilarious musical leaves good taste at the door in search of risque jokes and dazzling musical numbers. After a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory in late 2024, this revived production transferred to the West End last August with the same principal cast, three of whom are up for individual awards including leads Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin who will both be competing for the same Best Actor In A Musical Award.
Currently booking until 19 September, including a star appearance by Richard Kindwho steps in to cover Andy Nyman between 23 March – 9 May.
1536
Two nominations including Best New Play
This brand new play premiered at the Almeida Theatre last May where it completely sold out its run. The play is set during Tudor England and follows three ordinary women in a field in Essex as rumours swirl that Henry VIII is set to have his wife killed.
Celebrated for Ava Pickett’s sparkling dialogue and savage commentary on the modern world, this 110 minute, no interval play sees its original three stars transfer to the West End for a strictly limited run of 13 weeks at the Ambassadors Theatre, breaking up the run of fellow nominee Paranormal Activity.
Among other things
Two nominations including Best New Play
After her box office smash hit and Olivier Award-winning sensation First Face, Suzie Miller is back with another play that we’re not sure how to pronounce. Inter Ah-lia or Inter Ay-lia?
However you say it, the play has spelt success for Miller again with a hugely popular run at the National Theatre that has seen the show nominated for Best New Play. Its second nomination is for Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) who plays Jessica Parks, a maverick London Crown Court Judge balancing motherhood, friendship and her career.
With the show set to transfer to the West End from 19 March, we’ll see you in court.
Oh, Mary!
Two nominations including Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
Warning: Not for the historically sensitive.
The raucous camp comedy Oh, Mary! takes the history book, sets it on fire and throws it out of the window for good measure. Mason Alexander Park stars as Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the US President Abraham Lincoln, in the weeks leading to his assassination.
In this Tony Award-winning comedyMary is portrayed as a rampantly alcoholic narcissist desperate to perform cabaret and that’s just the half of it. She’s mad, bad and dangerous to know in this outrageous, irreverent and irresistible comedy.
Mason Alexander Park performs until 25 April, after which the leading role will be played by Catherine Tate.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry
Two nominations including Cunard Best New Musical
Based on the Booker Prize-winning novel (and adapted by the book’s author Rachel Joyce), The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry is a tender, deeply moving and uplifting novel about a very ordinary man who finds himself on a pilgrimage of love, redemption and second chances.
With a rousing and varied new score by chart-topping indie musician Passengerthis new musical will be sure to tug on your heart strings and leave you blubbing in the aisles.
Mark Addy (The Full Monty, Game Of Thrones) stars in the eponymous role alongside Jenna Russellwho is looking to win her second Olivier Award with this role, having previously won for Sunday In The Park With George.
The Boy At The Back Of The Class
Nominated for Best Family Show
Balancing heart and humour, this play follows a school class who try to reunite Ahmet, who has fled his war-torn country, with his family. Expect twists and turns in this sweet tale which highlights the power of friendship and kindness.
After a successful run at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, the play returns to London at the Southbank Centre this Easter from 7-12 April. Book now for up to 26% off the first four evening performances.
Paranormal Activity
Nominated for Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
Inspired by the terrifying found-footage films of the same name, this new story confronts the idea that perhaps it’s not places that are haunted, it’s people…
With plenty of jumps, scares and twists using stage magic and suspense, this play is not for the faint of heart.
The initial run is scheduled to finish on 5 April, with 1536 going into the Ambassadors Theatre, but due to demand it will return from 8 August.
