Winners for London Standard Theatre Awards revealed

The winners have been revealed for the latest London Standard Theatre Awards in a star-studded ceremony at Hampton Court.

Founded in 1955 and the oldest theatre awards in the UK, the nominees are drawn from the best shows of the last year (2025).

“It has been another exceptional year for London theatre,” Lord Lebedev, the Standard’s proprietor, said in his welcoming speech, praising the work of actors, directors, writers and everyone working behind the scenes to advance the art form. “It is a testament to all of you here tonight that productions continue to sell out, that theatre continues to thrive and that London continues to shine.”

The winners are listed in full below:

Emerging Talent

WINNER: Gracie Oddie-James: The Lady from the Sea, Bridge Theatre

Best Director

WINNER: Omar Elerian: Rhinoceros, Almeida

Best Musical

WINNER: Evita, The London Palladium

Best Musical Performance

WINNER: Rachel Zegler: Evita, The London Palladium

Best Actor

WINNER: Brendan Gleeson: The Weir, Harold Pinter

Best Actress

WINNER: Hayley Atwell: Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Best Play

WINNER: Punch, James Graham, Young Vic and Apollo Theatre

Best Production

WINNER: David Zinn (set) and Enver Chakartash (costumes): Stereophonic, Duke of York’s Theatre

Most Promising Playwright

WINNER: Ava Pickett: 1536, Almeida Theatre

Cate Blanchett also won a “special Lebedev award” given by the Standard owner, while an additional comedy award was given to Stephen Fry for his performance as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest.