Paddington Musical Sweeps Olivier Awards With Seven Wins Including Best New Musical
Paddington musical sweeps Olivier Awards with seven wins including Best New Musical The stage adaptation of Paddington has emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 Olivier Awards, taking home seven major prizes, including the coveted Best New Musical and three major acting honours.
The production, inspired by Michael Bond’s beloved books and the hit film franchise, dominated a competitive night at London’s Royal Albert Hall, celebrating excellence in British theatre.
- Best New Musical
- Best Director Luke Sheppard
- Best Actor in a Musical joint award for James Hameed and Arti Shah, who share the role of Paddington
- Best Supporting Actor in a Musical Tom Edden
- Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Victoria Hamilton Barritt
- Plus additional technical/design awards including set and costume recognition
The musical was widely praised for its inventive staging, heartwarming storytelling, and faithful portrayal of the marmalade loving bear’s journey from Peru to London. Critics and audiences alike credited its emotional warmth and visual creativity as key to its success. Other winners on the night included Into the Woods for Best Musical Revival, Punch for Best New Play, and Rosamund Pike for Best Actress in a Play for Inter Alia. Rachel Zegler also won Best Actress in a Musical for Evita. The 2026 ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards, celebrating a landmark year for London theatre.
