Olivier Awards confirms eligibility for 2025 and 2026 productions

The Olivier Awards has announced which shows are eligible for this year’s event.

The venerated London theatre awards, presented this year alongside headline sponsor Cunard, has confirmed that production that ran from “15 February 2025 and 17 February 2026 in a theatre represented by a Society Of London Theatre member, and met the minimum performance requirement for its category”, were eligible for this year’s prizes.

This means a number of shows that have not yet had their press nights will fall into this year’s awards event, including Cynthia Erivo-led Dracula (which starts previews next week), Unfortunate: The Untold Story Of Ursula The Sea Witch, which runs at The Other Palace from 6 February and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which commenced its run in the West End last night.

The Oliviers have also ruled which shows fall into “theatre”, “affiliate”, “family”, “dance” and “opera” categories. The “affiliate” category is typically for smaller venues or those outside the West End bubble, though are also UK Theatre Association members and abide by union agreements.

Submissions in the “family” category include Mischief’s Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (while the company’s other show, The Comedy About Spies, falls into “theatre”), and the Globe’s five-star new musical Pinocchio. 

It’s worth caveating that some of the shows in the “theatre” categories will also elect to run in the “Best Entertainment/Comedy” category rather than “Best New Play” or “Best New Musical.”

Affiliate venues that paid to be eligible in the main categories this year are the Almeida Theatre, Bridge Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Hampstead Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Peacock Theatre, Riverside Studios, Sadler’s Wells East, Soho Theatre, Troubadour Canary Wharf, Troubadour Wembley Park, The Crown, The Other Palace and the Young Vic.

Both Dracula and Deep Azure at Shakespeare’s Globe will open on the final day of eligibility, while productions like Jordan Fein’s revival of Broken Glass at the Young Vic will tip into 2027’s ceremony. Marie and Rosetta, which is about to commence its West End run at @sohoplace, is not eligible in the main categories this year, though its season at the Rose Theatre qualifies it for the “affiliate” award.

While most categories have more nominees than it’s worth to list (but here it is in full), some will be fiercely fought amongst a small group – including best musical revival, where six shows are up for the prize (American Psycho (which opens this evening), Brigadoon, Evita, Into the Woods, The Producers and Top Hat). 

Once again, the event will take place at the Royal Albert Hall, with a date set for 12 April 2026. It marks its 50th anniversary.

A highlights package will be presented on the BBC, via TV and radio, later that evening.

Nominations will be announced in due course, along with the hosts and performers.