The UK’s leading theatre critics gathered today at the National Theatre to honor the standout achievements of the past year. The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2026 remain a unique fixture in the industry as the only prizes decided exclusively by professional critics.
The ceremony saw a diverse array of winners across 11 categories, reflecting a year of high-quality productions despite challenging economic times. Leading the pack with two awards each were Ivo van Hove’s revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons and Jordan Fein’s reimagining of Sondheim’s Into the Woods. Van Hove took home Best Director, while the production was named Best Revival. Into the Woods secured the inaugural award for Best Ensemble or Cast, alongside Tom Scutt, who won Best Designer.
In the creative writing categories, James Graham continued his streak of success, winning Best New Play for Punch. The hit family production Paddington The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, was crowned Best New Musical. Meanwhile, the future of British playwriting looks bright as Ava Pickett received the Most Promising Playwright award for 1536.
The acting honors highlighted both established stars and emerging talent. Rosamund Pike was named Best Actress for her riveting performance in Inter Alia, which has successfully transferred to the West End. Brendan Gleeson claimed the Best Actor trophy for his celebrated turn in The Weir, a performance he is currently reprising for a film adaptation. The Most Promising Newcomer award went to Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis for her role in Indian Ink.
A poignant moment in the ceremony was the presentation of The Empty Space… Peter Brook Award (In Memory of Blanche Marvin). This year, the prize was awarded to Red Rose Chain in Ipswich, recognizing the theatre's dedication to its local community and creative use of space.
Chair of the Drama Section, Mark Lawson, noted that this was the most competitive year yet, with some categories decided only after a recount. "These winners show an exhilarating range of work," Lawson said. "The talent displayed ensures the high quality of our theatre is guaranteed to continue."
