Paddington: The Musical Dominates Olivier Awards
Michael Bond’s beloved marmalade-loving bear was the star of the night at the Olivier awards held on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The West End production of Paddington: The Musical secured seven awards, including the prestigious best new musical, amidst a glamorous ceremony filled with tuxedos and gowns.
The award for best actor in a musical was jointly awarded to the duo portraying Paddington: James Hameed, who provides the voice and remote puppeteering, and Arti Shah, who performs inside the bear costume. The production’s antagonists also received recognition, with Tom Edden winning best supporting actor for his role as Mr Curry, and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt winning best supporting actress for her portrayal of Millicent Clyde, a character intent on having Paddington stuffed. Luke Sheppard was honored as best director for the show, which additionally won awards for costume design by Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar, and set design by Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward.
Competition and Other Winners
Paddington: The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by McFly’s Tom Fletcher and a book by Jessica Swale, tied with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George for the highest number of nominations at 11 each. The latter, staged at the Bridge Theatre, won two awards: best musical revival and best lighting design, credited to Aideen Malone and Roland Horvath.
The ceremony was hosted by actor and comedian Tom Allen, known for his participation in Celebrity Traitors. Allen humorously shared that many, including his own agent, questioned how he secured the hosting role. He even enlisted nominee Tom Hiddleston to assist by holding his cue cards during the event.
Performances and Special Awards
Performances featured stars such as Rachel Zegler, who won best actress in a musical for her role in Evita. The production was notable for a scene where Zegler sang to large crowds on the street below. Zegler expressed gratitude to director Jamie Lloyd for creating an accessible theatrical moment and thanked Londoners for their warm welcome.
Fabian Aloise received the best theatre choreographer award for Evita, while Elaine Paige, who originally played Eva Perón in the 1978 production, was honored with the Special Award for her stage career. The award was presented by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Paige described the moment as a
“pinch me moment”and credited her father for instilling perseverance that supported her remarkable career journey.
Recognition for Justice-Themed Dramas
Dramas centered on justice themes garnered several accolades. Rosamund Pike won best actress for her role in Inter Alia, portraying a karaoke-loving crown court judge whose life is disrupted by a shocking revelation. Pike, who also received the best actress award at the Critics’ Circle theatre awards the previous month, first performed the role at the National Theatre and reprised it for the West End, with plans to take the play to Broadway in November. Written by Suzie Miller, Prima Facie was also recognized at the Oliviers in 2023. Pike reflected on her return to the stage after 14 years as a significant risk and praised her fellow nominees, stating they had
“moved me to tears.”
In the best new play category, James Graham’s Prima Facie triumphed over Inter Alia. Julie Hesmondhalgh won best supporting actress for her portrayal of Joan Scourfield, who sought restorative justice following the death of her son James Hodgkinson due to a one-punch incident involving Jacob Dunne. Graham was joined on stage by Dunne and Scourfield, describing their journey towards healing as
“extraordinary.”Hesmondhalgh emphasized the play’s message of hope, compassion, forgiveness, and love amid a world marked by division, violence, and conflict.
Other Notable Awards
Ivo van Hove’s production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons won best revival, with the award presented by Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. McKellen humorously noted he would have to improvise with a Shakespeare speech during the introduction as he could not read the Autocue. The production also earned best supporting actor for Paapa Essiedu, who highlighted the importance of youth theatres and advocated for funding to support access programs, ensuring the development of future actors and audiences.
In a surprising outcome, Bryan Cranston, star of All My Sons and known for Breaking Bad, was bested in the best actor category by Jack Holden for Punch. Holden portrayed every role in the play, which he co-wrote, depicting citizens of a small US town taking justice into their own hands. Holden praised his fellow nominees as
“esteemed”and joked that most people would not recognize him, encouraging audiences to support new talent in theatre. Punch also won an award for Giles Thomas’s sound design. Both Punch and Kenrex, another winner, originated in regional theatres—Nottingham Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres respectively—before transferring to London.
Additional Highlights
The transfer of the Broadway hit Leopoldstadt, which became the most nominated play in Tony Awards history in 2024, did not win any of its six Olivier nominations. The American import Oh, Mary! won best new entertainment or comedy play. The best family show award went to journalist Nick Ahad’s adaptation of Onjali Q Raúf’s novel The Boy at the Back of the Class, staged at the Rose Theatre.
The outstanding musical contribution award was presented to Chris Fenwick for musical supervision and arrangements, and Sean Hayes for his live piano performance of Rhapsody in Blue in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican. The best new production in an affiliate theatre was awarded to The Glass Menagerie, the closing production at the Yard in Hackney Wick before its relocation. The best new dance production was Into the Hairy by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D at Sadler’s Wells, and best new opera production was Dead Man Walking by English National Opera at the London Coliseum.
Wayne McGregor received the award for outstanding contribution to dance, while Danielle de Niese was recognized for her outstanding contribution to opera. Industry recognition awards were given to children’s playwright David Wood; Betty Laine, founder of Laine Arts College; and Linda Tolhurst, who has served as a stage door keeper at the National Theatre for nearly fifty years.
Legacy of the Ceremony
The night will be remembered as a landmark for Paddington: The Musical, whose seven awards match the tally of previous Olivier successes such as Matilda the Musical, Hamilton, Cabaret, and Sunset Boulevard.
The ceremony also featured special performances celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera in the West End and the 20th anniversary of Wicked. Marking its 50th anniversary this year, the Olivier awards are overseen by the Society of London Theatre. Winners were selected by a panel comprising industry professionals, prominent theatre figures, and theatre enthusiasts from the public.
