Guest presenters and performers have been announced for The Stage Debut Awards 2025.

The Stage theatre-industry publication announced nominations for this year’s awards last month, which celebrate breakthrough talent in UK theatre.

Hosted by Julian Clary, the awards will take place on 28 September 2025 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.

Guest presenters include Golda Rosheuvel (Bridgerton) and Letitia Wright (Black Panther), both of whom are currently starring in Not Your Superwoman at the Bush Theatre in London.

Also, Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks), about to star in Entertaining Mr Sloane at The Young Vic; Johannes Radebe (Strictly Come Dancing), who is starring in Kinky Boots next year at the London Coliseum; Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields of Mischief Comedy, creators of The Play That Goes Wrong; playwright, screenwriter and director Patrick Marber, whose production of The Producers is now playing at the Garrick Theatre; and designer Miriam Buether, whose current West End work includes Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre.

Performances at the awards include Jesus Christ Superstar’s Parisa Shahmir, Just For One Day’s Craige Els, and star of new musical Hot Mess, Tobias Turley.

A very special performance will also be announced on the night.

The nominations

The 46 nominations are spread across eight categories, and include the Best West End Debut Performer, which is selected by public vote. Voting is now open for the Debut Performer award, and closes on 14 September 2025.

This year’s Best West End Debut Performer nominees include Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez for Evita, Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong for Shifters, Georgie Buckland for The Devil Wears Prada, Emma Flynn for Clueless The Musical, Kat Ronney for Titanique, and Samuel Brewer for Oedipus (Wyndham’s Theatre).

Shifters leads the shortlist with three nominations.

The Stage Debut Awards – Judges

The judges of the awards are: Alistair Smith, Editor, The Stage; Dave Fargnoli, Theatre Critic; Dominic Cavendish, Theatre Critic, The Telegraph; Baz Bamigboye, Columnist, Deadline; Holly Williams, Journalist, author and critic, The Stage; Holly O’Mahony, Culture journalist and critic; and Sam Marlowe, Reviews Editor, The Stage.

Nominees for the awards are suggested by The Stage’s nationwide network of theatre critics, plus the nominees themselves and their representatives. Then a selection of expert advisers including casting directors, producers, designers and other creatives from across the UK help the judges curate the shortlist.

The judging panel met in July 2025 to decide the shortlist and winners in all categories, except the Best West End Debut Performer.

Last year’s The Stage Debut Awards 2024 saw winners include Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal, and Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express.

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Main photo: The Stage Debut Awards 2025 - Presenters and Performers announced

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