Olivier Awards 2025: Who Will Win, Who Should Win
Can Hello, Dolly! cut through, is Fiddler on the Roof a sure-fire winner, and will The Fear of 13 beat the competition?
Imelda Staunton, Adrien Brody, John Lithgow, Meera Syal, and Lesley Manville, are among the big names whose West End work during the past 12 months has today won them Olivier nominations.
Fiddler on the Roof is the most-nominated musical and overall production at the 2025 Olivier Awards.
The revival, which premiered at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in July last year, earned 13 nominations, including Best Musical Revival, Best Director, and Best Theatre Choreographer.
Meanwhile, Giant and The Years tied as the most-nominated plays, each receiving five nods.
There’s a perfect storm brewing, though.
After years of Tory underfunding and culture wars, nothing less than the soul of the nation rests in the hands of the Labour government.
Meanwhile, the arts continue to vanish off state school curriculums—dismissed as merely an luxury and, in the case of theatre, assumed to be the preserve of students at fee-paying schools with their own state of the art auditoriums.
And West End theatre attendance has remained flat year-on-year, according to new figures from the Society of London Theatre. SOLT’s 2024 report shows that 17.1 million people attended performances—matching the total recorded in 2023.
I will continue to toil for affordable West End theatre for people from all walks of life.
In fact, the focus on ticket prices is crucial—not just because exorbitant costs exclude young audiences, but because they also stifle new work. If theatre remains an expensive luxury, audiences will be less inclined to attend or take a chance on new plays, making it harder for new stories to be told (depressingly, a quarter of the West End is home to a movie musical).
According to The Stage’s annual ticketing survey, top-price West End tickets have risen by 9.3% compared to 2023. The average highest-priced ticket for plays has surged by 50% in the past year alone.
Anyway: The Olivier Awards 2025. The event will mark the 40th ceremony since celebrated actor Sir Laurence Olivier gave his name to it in 1984.
N.B. To be eligible, shows must have been staged in a theatre represented within the Society of London Theatre’s membership. Alternatively, they can qualify if performed in an affiliate member venue that has also paid an additional performance levy for Olivier consideration.
And remember: shows that have closed stand little chance against ones still running.
See the nominees:
Mastercard Best New Musical
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, music and lyrics by Darren Clark, book and lyrics by Jethro Compton at Ambassadors Theatre
MJ The Musical, book by Lynn Nottage at Prince Edward Theatre
Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812, music, lyrics and book by Dave Malloy at Donmar Warehouse
Why Am I So Single?, music, lyrics and book by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss at Garrick Theatre
Should win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Will win: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design
Jon Bausor for set design, Toby Olié and Daisy Beattie for puppetry design and Satoshi Kuriyama for projection design for Spirited Away at London Coliseum
Frankie Bradshaw for set design for Ballet Shoes at National Theatre – Olivier
Es Devlin for set design for Coriolanus at National Theatre – Olivier
Tom Scutt for set design for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Should win: Jon Bausor
Will win: Tom Scutt
White Light Award for Best Lighting Design
Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre
Howard Hudson for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse
Howard Hudson for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Aideen Malone for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Should win: Howard Hudson for Starlight Express
Will win: Paule Constable for Oliver!
TAIT Award for Best New Opera Production
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle by English National Opera at London Coliseum
Festen by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
L’Olimpiade by Irish National Opera and The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
The Tales Of Hoffmann by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House
Should win: Festen
Will win: Festen
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre
Animal Farm at Theatre Royal Stratford East by George Orwell, adapted by Tatty Hennessy
Boys On The Verge Of Tears by Sam Grabiner at Soho Theatre
English by Sanaz Toossi at Kiln Theatre
Now, I See by Lanre Malaolu at Theatre Royal Stratford East
What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander at Marylebone Theatre
Should win: What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank
Will win: What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank
Best New Dance Production
Assembly Hall by Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite and Jonathon Young at Sadler’s Wells
Frontiers: Choreographers Of Canada – Pite/Kudelka/Portner by The National Ballet Of Canada at Sadler’s Wells
Theatre Of Dreams by Hofesh Shechter Company at Sadler’s Wells
An Untitled Love by A.I.M by Kyle Abraham at Sadler’s Wells
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Jorge Bosch for Kyoto at @sohoplace
Tom Edden for Waiting For Godot at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Elliot Levey for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Ben Whishaw for Bluets at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Should win: Tom Edden for Waiting for Godot
Will win: Elliot Levey for Giant
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Sharon D. Clarke for The Importance Of Being Earnest at National Theatre – Lyttelton
Romola Garai for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Romola Garai for The Years at Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre
Gina McKee for The Years at Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre
Should win: Sharon D Clarke for The Importance of Being Earnest
Will win: Romola Garai for The Years
Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer
Matthew Bourne for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre
Julia Cheng for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Hofesh Shechter for Oedipus at The Old Vic
Christopher Wheeldon for MJ The Musical at Prince Edward Theatre
Should win: Hofesh Schechter for Oedipus
Will win: Julia Cheng for Fiddler On The Roof
Best Costume Design
Hugh Durrant for Robin Hood at The London Palladium
Sachiko Nakahara for Spirited Away at London Coliseum
Tom Scutt for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Gabriella Slade for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Should win: Hugh Durrant for Palladium Pantomime
Will win: Sachiko Nakahara for Spirited Away
d&b audiotechnik Award for Best Sound Design
Nick Lidster for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Christopher Shutt for Oedipus at The Old Vic
Thijs van Vuure for The Years at Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre
Koichi Yamamoto for Spirited Away at London Coliseum
Should win: Nick Lidster for Fiddler On The Roof
Will win: Nick Lidster for Fiddler On The Roof
Outstanding Musical Contribution
Mark Aspinall for Musical Supervision and Additional Orchestrations for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Darren Clark for Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements and Mark Aspinall for Musical Direction, Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre
Dave Malloy for Orchestrations and Nicholas Skilbeck for Musical Supervision for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse
Asaf Zohar for Compositions and Gavin Sutherland for Dance Arrangements and Orchestration for Ballet Shoes at National Theatre – Olivier
Should win: Dave Malloy for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Will win: Darren Clark for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Liv Andrusier for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Amy Di Bartolomeo for The Devil Wears Pradaat Dominion Theatre
Beverley Klein for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Maimuna Memon for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse
Should win: Maimuna Memon
Will win: Liv Andrusrier
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Andy Nyman for Hello, Dolly! at The London Palladium
Raphael Papo for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Layton Williams for Titanique at Criterion Theatre
Tom Xander for Mean Girls at Savoy Theatre
Should win: Raphael Papp for Fiddler On a The Roof
Will win: Raphael Papo for Fiddler On The Roof
Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
Ballet Shoes adapted by Kendall Feaver at National Theatre – Olivier
Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith at Wyndham’s Theatre
Spirited Away adapted by John Caird and co-adapted by Maoko Imai at London Coliseum
Titanique by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli at Criterion Theatre
Should win: Ballet Shoes
Will win: Ballet Shoes
Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director
Eline Arbo for The Years at Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre
Jordan Fein for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Nicholas Hytner for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Robert Icke for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre
Should win: Robert Icke for Oedipus
Will win: Nicholas Hytner for Giant
Best Actress
Heather Agyepong for Shifters at Duke of York’s Theatre
Lesley Manville for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre
Rosie Sheehy for Machinal at The Old Vic
Meera Syal for A Tupperware Of Ashes at National Theatre – Dorfman
Indira Varma for Oedipus at The Old Vic
Should win: Rosie Sheehy for Machinal
Will win: Lesley Manville for Oedipus
Best Actor
Adrien Brody for The Fear Of 13 at Donmar Warehouse
Billy Crudup for Harry Clarke at Ambassadors Theatre
Paapa Essiedu for Death Of England: Delroy at @sohoplace
John Lithgow for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Mark Strong for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre
Should win: Adrien Brody for The Fear of 13
Will win: John Lithgow for Giant
Cunard Best Revival
The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde at National Theatre – Lyttelton
Machinal by Sophie Treadwell at The Old Vic
Oedipus by Robert Icke at Wyndham’s Theatre
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett at Theatre Royal Haymarket
Should win: Oedipus
Will win: The Importance of Being Earnest
Piper-Heidsieck Award for Best Musical Revival
Fiddler On The Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Hello, Dolly!, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Michael Stewart at The London Palladium
Oliver!, book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, new material and revisions by Cameron Mackintosh at Gielgud Theatre
Starlight Express, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Richard Stilgoe at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Should win: Hello, Dolly!
Will win: Fiddler On The Roof
Best Actor in a Musical
John Dagleish for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre
Adam Dannheisser for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Myles Frost for MJ The Musical at Prince Edward Theatre
Simon Lipkin for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre
Jamie Muscato for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse
Should win: Jamie Muscato for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812
Will win: Adam Dannheisser for Fiddler on The Roof
Best Actress in a Musical
Chumisa Dornford-May for Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse
Lauren Drew for Titanique at Criterion Theatre
Clare Foster for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre
Lara Pulver for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Imelda Staunton for Hello, Dolly! at The London Palladium
Should win: Imelda Staunton for Hello, Dolly!
Will win: Imelda Staunton for Hello, Dolly!
The Londoner Award for Best New Play
The Fear Of 13 by Lindsey Ferrentino at Donmar Warehouse
Giant by Mark Rosenblatt at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Kyoto by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson at @sohoplace
Shifters by Benedict Lombe at Duke of York’s Theatre
Should win: Giant
Will win: Giant
‘FYI’ Highlights from the ceremony will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX on the evening of the event.
The Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard will be on April 6 at the Royal Albert Hall.
