With only a few more days to go until the Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunardwe now know who will be performing during the ceremony as well as who will be presenting the coveted awards.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the awards, a number of previous winners will be returning to present awards including Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Arlene Phillips and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
It will be a big night for Andrew Lloyd Webber, alongside presenting an award there will be performances from not one, but two of his musicals. Celebrating 40 years of the show, the iconic Phantom Of The Opera will open the ceremony, with a performance later in the evening from Evita which is nominated for Best Musical Revival. Other Best Musical Revival hopefuls The Producers and 11-time nominee Into The Woods will also perform.
Alongside the Best Musical Revivals, there will be performances from the Cunard Best New Musical nominees The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, Shucked and 11-time nominee Paddington The Musical.
The evening’s performances will end with a dazzling finale by Wickedwhich is celebrating its own anniversary of 20 years in the West End.
Other current musicals will be represented on the night by award presenters including Matt Willis (who is starring in Cabaret until 23 May), Strictly Come Dancing professional Johannes Radebe (starring in Kinky Boots until July) and Vanessa Williams who plays Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada.
Performers from upcoming productions will be there on the night to present awards as well. These include Sam Ryderwho is set to make his West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar this summer, and Russell Toveyahead of his upcoming thriller The Guilty at the Donmar Warehouse.
With Laurence Olivier’s strong connections to the Old Vic and the National Theatre, it’s fitting that both theatres are represented on the night. Their current plays One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Dangerous Liaisons are sending Aaron Pierre & Olivia Williams and Monica Barbaro to present awards.
You’ll also be able to see recent West End actors present awards, including Minnie Driver, Ambika Mod, David HarewoodBridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh plus this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award winners Danielle de Niese (for Opera) and Wayne McGregor (for Dance).
From outside the world of theatre, presenters include podcast host & novelist Richard Osman and YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg.
The Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard will take place on Sunday 12 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by double Emmy Award nominee and Celebrity Traitors finalist Nick Mohammed. You can watch the performances and find out the winners by tuning in to BBC Two and iPlayer at 7pmwhile BBC Radio 2 will broadcast a special two-hour show from 8pm, featuring performances and exclusive interviews by Jo Whiley.
