Paddington The Musical sweeps Oliviers as Evita and Into The Woods also triumph

Paddington The Musical was the big winner at the 2026 Olivier Awards, where the West End revivals of Evita and Into The Woods also won plaudits.

The smash-hit musical – which is adapted from the books by Michael Bond and the hit films – won in seven categories from 11 nominations including best new musical, best actor in a musical and best actor and actress in a supporting role.

It follows the adventures of the marmalade-loving bear from Peru, starring a life-like puppet of Paddington, and also picked up the prize for best costume design, best set design and the Sir Peter Hall award for best director.

Paddington, currently on at the Savoy Theatre in London, features music written by McFly star Tom Fletcher and its book was written by playwright Jessica Swale.

Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the awards ceremony at Royal Albert Hall, Swale hailed working with Fletcher as “really fun” and said: “It’s such a privilege to look after such a special bear. It’s just been so fun. We’ve had the greatest adventure.”

During the acceptance speech for best new musical, Fletcher praised the production for “celebrating kindness”, and said it felt “so special” to be a part of it.

Producer Eliza Lumley acknowledged Bond’s daughter Karen Jankel in her speech, saying: “Karen, your father wrote a character who not only reminds us to be kind, but also reminds us to have empathy for stories that are other than our own – which, after all, is the superpower of theatre itself.”

American actress Rachel Zegler picked up the award for best actress in a musical for her West End debut in the revival of Evita at the London Palladium, which drew large outdoor crowds while she sang Don’t Cry For Me Argentina from an outside balcony.

The critically acclaimed show, which follows the life of Argentine politician Eva Peron and her rise from actress to first lady, also saw Fabian Aloise take home the Gillian Lynne Award for best theatre choreographer.

As Zegler accepted her prize, she called it a “tremendous honour” and thanked London for “making me feel so welcome here”, adding: “This is really, really quite amazing. Thank you so much, everybody in this room.

“It was the honour of a lifetime, singing to the people on Argyll Street eight times a week.”

Into The Woods, which was tied with Paddington on 11 nominations, also picked up two Oliviers for best musical revival and best lighting.

Rosamund Pike – known for cinema roles including Gone Girl – was named best actress for her return to the stage after almost 14 years in Inter Alia.

Jack Holden won the award for best actor for Kenrex at The Other Palace, and the play also picked up the prize for best sound design.

Elsewhere, Paapa Essiedu took home the gong for best actor in a supporting role for All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre, and the play was also crowned best revival.

Punch, based on the true story of a teenager who killed a man with a single punch, also won two awards and took home the prizes for best actress in a supporting role and best new play.

West End star Dame Elaine Paige, known as a leading lady in musicals including Cats and Evita in a career spanning decades, was presented with the 2026 special award by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who co-wrote both shows.

This year’s Olivier Awards marked the 50th anniversary of the ceremony, and was hosted by comedian Nick Mohammed.

It featured a string of musical theatre performances, with a cameo from Paddington the bear himself singing a rendition of Marmalade from the show.

Zegler belted out Don’t Cry For Me Argentina from Evita and there were performances from Into The Woods and Phantom Of The Opera.

The event is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.