Paddington The Musical, Evita and more win big at the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards

The winners of the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards have now been crowned as the curtain falls on our concert ceremony at The London Palladium.

There were no hard stares from a certain marmalade-loving bear who paved the way, winning nine of its record-breaking 14 nominations. It took home awards in the technical categories, with director Luke Sheppard, set designer Tom Pye, sound designer Gareth Owen, costume designers Gabriella Slade (costume design) and Tahra Zafar (Paddington design), wigs, hair and make-up designer Campbell Young Associates, casting directors Natalie Gallacher, for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle Davis, and musical supervisor Matt Brind. Voters gave a big bear hug welcome to newcomer, Timi Akinyosade, who plays Tony, in his Professional Debut, as the new musical, by Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale, left with full hands, including the coveted Best New Musical prize.

Another show that received numerous wins was Jamie Lloyd‘s revival of Evita. The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical had something of a homecoming last night with the production’s company returning to the stage (and balcony) where it spent its summer. Rachel Zegler‘s star turn earned her the Best Performer in a Musical prize, beating off the competition from co-star Diego Andres Rodriguez (who played Che), Arti Shah and James Hameed (jointly nominated for their turn as Paddington), Lauren Drew (Céline Dion in Titanique), Lucie Jones (Jenna in 13 Going On 30) and Jamie Muscato (Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby).

The Best Musical Revival winner was also recognised for Fabian Aloise’s choreography, Jon Clark’s lighting design, and Lloyd, Nick Ward and David Anderson’s video design.

Zegler’s first win was quickly followed by her second (!) as The London Palladium became an even more special place. Her first-ever concert performance took place there last October, and the evening of songs and stories won the Best Concert Event award.

Following three previous nominations, Jonathan Bailey took home his first-ever WhatsOnStage Award for his titular take on Richard II at the Bridge Theatre. He beat the likes of Ncuti Gatwa, Tom Hiddleston, Joe Locke, Maxine Peake and Rosamund Pike in a star-studded category showcasing the very best of UK theatre.

It wasn’t the only crown for that Shakespearean production either, as Nicholas Hytner’s revival also won the Londoner Best Play Revival, beating The Importance of Being Earnest, The Lady from the Sea, Much Ado About Nothing, The Seagull, and A Streetcar Named Desire.

Another first-time winner was Amber Davies, for her supporting role as Jordan Baker in the UK premiere of The Great Gatsby. While it was the new musical’s only win of the night, another new musical was celebrated – the world premiere of 13 Going On 30, which won Best Regional Production. It proved the northern power of Manchester, as the city was also home to Best Studio Production, the Hope Mill’s Young Frankenstein, who treated audiences to a performance on the night.

In terms of new plays, Mischief’s The Comedy About Spies won the Best New Play Award after its world premiere at the Noël Coward Theatre. It marks the first WhatsOnStage Award win for the company since the premiere of The Play That Goes Wrong in 2014. Meanwhile, it was “Big Dog” Faithful Stephen Fry who was awarded Best Supporting Performer in a Play for his turn as Lady Bracknell in the West End revival of The Importance of Being Earnest. He previously won the very same award for his appearance in a 2013 production of Twelfth Night.

We also send our congratulotions to the West End’s Elphaba, Emma Kingston, who won Best Takeover Performance for her role in Wicked. Another West End longrunner to pick up an award was Les Misérables, as the epic continued its joyeux anniversaire celebrations with a win for Best West End Show. In addition, we were proud to honour James Graham with the WhatsOnStage Services to UK Theatre Award, with tributes led by collaborators and colleagues Indhu Rubasingham, Katie Brayben, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Kate Wasserberg and Adam Penford.

With such a celebration for a big new British musical, and a welcome reception to a big new revival of a classic juggernaut, the WhatsOnStage Awards continue to celebrate the very best of theatre created, enjoyed and remembered up and down the country!