The Stage has announced the winners for its 2026 annual event in association with Tysers Live.
Celebrating creativity, talent and dedication on and off the stage, The Stage Awards returns for the 16th year and shine a spotlight on everything from national theatres to hidden gems and the unsung heroes behind the scenes.
This years winners were announced at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, London, with the 10 categories including: Theatre of the Year, Theatre Building of the Year, Producer of the Year, International Award, Innovation Award, Community Award,
Campaign of the Year, Fringe Theatre of the Year, Team of the Year, and Unsung
Hero, alongside a special Judges’ Award. Welsh National Theatre founder, Michael
Sheen, who ranked number one in The Stage 100, was also presented with an award
recognising his success in the annual power list.
Joint winners of Theatre of the Year were announced to be London’s Royal Court Theatre and Newbury’s Watermill Theatre. For the Royal Court, it is the theatre’s first win in 15 years, recognised for a string of critically acclaimed productions under its new artistic leadership. The Watermill, a 2024 winner, continues its success with productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and international transfers of Calamity Jane, Fanny, Barnum, and The Lord of the Rings.
Meanwhile, Theatre Building of the Year was awarded to Soho Theatre
Walthamstow, the new 960 theatre born from a decade-long grassroots
campaign to save a 1930s grade II-listed Granada cinema.
Producer of the year went to Wessex Grove, who presented The Seagull at the Barbican starring Cate
Blanchett and Tom Burke, and the New York transfer of Vanya with Andrew Scott. Its
current production of All My Sons, directed by Ivo van Hove, also drew praise from
judges. Alongside its high-profile shows, Wessex Grove has also championed new work
in the West End, including Samuel D Hunter’s Clarkston and Oh, Mary!.
Fringe Theatre of the year was presented to Manchester’s Hope
Mill Theatre, celebrating the 10th anniversary for the venue founded by
Joseph Houston and William Whelton.
The Community Award went to Common/Wealth, the site-specific theatre company
known for creating bold, political work with communities rarely reached by traditional
theatre.
This year’s Innovation Award, sponsored by Charcoalblue, was awarded to Hull Truck
Theatre for its pioneering theatre-based training scheme for GPs. Developed by the
theatre’s creative learning team and piloted in partnership with a local NHS branch, the
programme uses drama techniques to build communication, empathy and confidence in
trainee GPs.
The winner of the International Award was presented to Foreign
Affairs, London. Founded by Camila França and Trine Garrett, the company
challenges the UK’s under-representation of plays in translation, presenting new
English versions of works from across the globe.
Campaign of the Year was awarded to Brixton House and PlayWell Productions
for Black Power Desk, a campaign that combined cultural authenticity, creative
boldness and real impact.
Team of the Year went to Lyric Scene Shop at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, recognising
a team whose skill, collaboration and innovation have transformed scenic production
in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Unsung Hero Award celebrated the work of Eugene Ju-Pierre, stage door manager of the Royal Ballet and Opera who was presented with his surprise award along with a special performance by Sir Bryn Terfel. Nominated by colleagues, Eugene is celebrated for more than 25 years of outstanding service at the heart of one of the world’s busiest stage doors.
The Judges Award went to publisher Nick Hern. The judges praised
Hern as one of the most quietly influential figures in modern British theatre, whose
work has helped shape the contemporary theatrical canon and sustain countless
creative careers.
Talking about the news, The Stage editor Alistair Smith
said: “This year’s winners show theatre at its most confident and outward-looking,
combining artistic ambition with a clear sense of purpose. From major institutions to
independent innovators, they demonstrate how strong leadership, deep community
roots and creative risk-taking can deliver real impact on stage and beyond it.”
As well as the ceremony itself, the ceremony features performances from
Leesa Tulley and Grace Hodgett Young, both previous winners of Best Performer in
a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards. The event brought together an audience of
nominees, industry leaders, and distinguished guests for a night of celebration.