Waleed Akhtar wins Hermitage Major Theater Award for 2026

UK playwright and actor Waleed Akhtar has been named the seventh recipient of the Hermitage Major Theater Award, receiving a $35,000 (£26,500 approximately) commission to create a new play.

The Olivier Award-winning writer will also receive a residency at the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Manasota Key, Florida, and a developmental workshop of the new work in London, anticipated for autumn 2028.

Akhtar won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for The P Word. He also received the Most Promising Playwright award at the Off-West End Awards for Kabul Goes Pop: Music Television Afghanistan. His other work includes the audio drama Mrs. Bibi, which was nominated for the Tinniswood Award, and writing for Paramount+ series The Road Trip.

Speaking about the award, Akhtar said: “I definitely thought it was a phishing scam when I received an email saying I’d made the list of finalists for a major award with a secret panel. And here I am overwhelmed and so grateful at receiving the Hermitage Major Theater Award. I am beyond excited to have been chosen by such an amazing panel to create a whole new piece of work.”

The 2026 award committee comprised Almeida Theatre artistic director Dominic Cooke, former Bush Theatre artistic director Lynette Linton and Donmar Warehouse artistic director and joint chief executive Tim Sheader.

Cooke said: “Waleed dazzled us with a thrilling proposal that combines a culturally specific experience with universal scope. Having long admired his previous work for its courage, honesty, and humour, I am excited to see how he will use the generous support of the Hermitage.”

Linton added: “All four finalists are such talented artists, and I am thrilled for Waleed. He is an exceptional artist, and his proposal was so exciting. I can’t wait to see this play arrive on the page with Hermitage’s support.”

Sheader said: “As a major voice on our stages, Waleed’s ambition, wit, and curiosity intersect to make entertaining and provoking work, and this award creates critical time and space to allow artists like him to be their best selves.”

The other three finalists were Olivier Award nominee Mohamed-Zain Dada, Azuka Oforka and Sarah Power. Each receives a Hermitage residency and Fellowship, alongside a $1,500 cash prize.

Akhtar’s proposed play is described as a dark comedy centred on Rehan Malik, an artist whose work is being celebrated in a London gallery retrospective. An encounter with a younger artist prompts him to reconsider his career and the compromises he has made to achieve success.

The Hermitage Major Theater Award was established in 2021 and provides funding for the creation of new work, alongside residency and development opportunities. Previous recipients include Madeleine George, Shariffa Ali, Imani Uzuri, UK playwright Chris Bush, Naomi Iizuka and Anne Washburn.

Bush, the fourth recipient, presented her commissioned play Orlando (FL) at the National Theatre in autumn 2025. The Hermitage will present a workshop reading of Washburn’s commission in New York in autumn 2027.

The award is supported by Flora Major and the Kutya Major Foundation. The Hermitage Artist Retreat is based on Florida’s Gulf Coast and provides residencies for artists working across theatre, music, visual art, literature, dance and film.