The Stage Awards 2026 winners announced

The winners have been announced for the annual The Stage Awards 2026.

Winners were revealed at a ceremony today, 12 January 2026, at London’s Royal Opera House, hosted by Stage Debut award winners Hilson Agbangbe and Lucy Karczewski.

Theatre of the Year went to London’s Royal Court Theatre, and the Watermill Theatre in Newbury; and Theatre Building of the Year went to Soho Theatre’s new venue, Soho Theatre Walthamstow.

Producer of the Year was awarded to Wessex Grove, whose current West End productions include All My Sons starring Bryan Cranston at the Wyndham’s Theatre; Woman in Mind starring Sheridan Smith at the Duke of York’s Theatre; Oh, Mary! starring Mason Alexander Park at the Trafalgar Theatre; and Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.

Coming up, Wessex Grove are producing Teeth ‘n’ Smiles starring Rebecca Lucy Taylor at the Duke of York’s Theatre.

The Stage Awards 2026 - Royal Court Theatre & Soho Theatre Walthamstow (Photos via PR) — *The Stage Awards 2026 – Royal Court Theatre & Soho Theatre Walthamstow (Photos via PR)*

This year’s Unsung Hero award went to 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. As stage door manager, he is renowned for his professionalism, warmth and unwavering sense of responsibility, ensuring the smooth and safe running of the building while offering a welcoming smile to everyone who passes through. Judges praised Eugene’s attentiveness, humour and genuine care, which have made him a much-loved colleague and exceptional ambassador for the Royal Ballet and Opera.

The Stage Awards 2026 - Unsung Hero Award winner Eugene Ju-Pierre alongside Sir Bryn Terfel (Photo via PR) — The Stage Awards 2026 – Unsung Hero Award winner Eugene Ju-Pierre alongside Sir Bryn Terfel (Photo via PR)

The Stage editor Alistair Smith said in a statement: “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.”

The Stage Awards were established in 2010.

Last week, The Stage put out its annual The Stage 100 list of the most powerful people in UK theatre.

The judges of this year’s awards were: Alistair Smith, Editor of The Stage; Matthew Hemley, Deputy editor of The Stage; Lyn Gardner, Associate Editor of The Stage; Baz Bamigboye, Entertainment columnist for Deadline; Amanda Parker, Arts Professional; Sam Marlowe, Reviews editor of The Stage; and Natasha Tripney, International Editor of The Stage.

The Stage Awards 2026: Full list of winners

Theatre of the Year

Almeida Theatre, London
Nottingham Playhouse
Royal Court Theatre, London – WINNER
Soho Theatre, London
Watermill Theatre, Newbury – WINNER
York Theatre Royal

Theatre Building of the Year

Sadler’s Wells East
Soho Theatre Walthamstow – WINNER
Theatr Clwyd, Mold

Fringe Theatre of the Year

Finborough Theatre, London
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester – WINNER
Laurels, Whitley Bay

Producer of the Year

KPPL Productions
Talawa Theatre Company
Wessex Grove – WINNER

Innovation Award

Akhila Krishnan, Zoe Spurr and the Royal Shakespeare Company
Hull Truck Theatre – WINNER
National Youth Theatre and Microsoft

Community Award

Arcola Theatre, London for its Participation department
ATG Entertainment’s West End Creative Learning projects
Cardboard Citizens
Common/Wealth – WINNER
Imaginate, Edinburgh for Creative Encounters
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester for The Elders

International Award

Foreign Affairs – WINNER
Six the Musical in Japanese
The Rite of Spring

Campaign of the Year

Black Power Desk – WINNER
Eastbourne Theatres
The Devil Wears Prada

Team of the Year

ATG Entertainment’s Creative Learning team
British Youth Music Theatre’s marketing team
Lyric Theatre, Belfast’s Lyric Scene Shop – WINNER

Unsung Hero Award

Eugene Ju-Pierre, Royal Ballet and Opera – WINNER

Judges’ Award

Nick Hern – WINNER

The Stage 100

Michael Sheen – WINNER