The 2025 Olivier Awards winners brought the drama, the glitter, and all the standing ovations at this year’s Royal Albert Hall showdown.
While Fiddler on the Roof went in with a jaw-dropping 13 nominations, the night was anything but predictable. A bunch of standout shows split the glory, with Giant, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Fiddler on the Roof each taking home three trophies. Not far behind were Oedipus and Titanique, scooping up two wins each.
Let’s get straight into the highlights. Legendary performers Lesley Manville and John Lithgow absolutely owned the stage this year, winning Best Actress and Best Actor for Oedipus and Giant, respectively. Giant also scored big with Elliot Levey snagging Best Supporting Actor. Over on the musical side, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button charmed its way to Best New Musical, and its star John Dagleish landed Best Actor in a Musical.
And while we’re talking musicals, Hello, Dolly! brought home a win too, with the incredible Imelda Staunton earning Best Actress in a Musical. Layton Williams had his big Olivier moment, grabbing Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his hilarious performance in Titanique. That same show also won Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, proving it’s more than just a Titanic parody – it’s legit award-winning fun.
Romola Garai pulled off the rare flex of being nominated against herself and ended up winning Best Supporting Actress for The Years. Meanwhile, Fiddler on the Roof didn’t disappoint. It bagged Best Musical Revival and also walked away with awards for Best Sound Design and Best Set Design, thanks to Nick Lidster and Tom Scutt. Though it led with the most nominations, it didn’t dominate quite as expected, but still made a solid impact.
On the play front, Giant took the big one – Best New Play. Directed by Nicholas Hytner and powered by a moving story, it made sure its name is etched in Olivier history. Oedipus, directed by Robert Icke, won Best Revival and reminded everyone why Greek tragedies still hit hard.
The Years, adapted by Eline Arbo and performed at the Almeida Theatre and Harold Pinter Theatre, grabbed Best Director and Supporting Actress – proving it had serious momentum. And shoutout to Eline Arbo for making a serious statement with her directorial win.
Not to be outdone, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 held its own with Maimuna Memon winning Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. The show also got nods for Best Actor, Lighting Design, and Orchestrations, showing it’s more than just a deep-cut Tolstoy musical.
Some underrated but super impressive wins? Gabriella Slade picked up Best Costume Design for Starlight Express, and Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs won for Lighting Design on Oliver!. These details often go unnoticed but seriously make the magic happen.
The opera and dance categories brought their own legends into the spotlight. Allan Clayton won Outstanding Achievement in Opera for Festen, which also won Best New Opera Production. Eva Yerbabuena took home Outstanding Achievement in Dance for her stunning performance in Yerbabuena. And when it comes to choreography, Christopher Wheeldon won for MJ The Musical, proving once again that Michael Jackson’s moves are still iconic, especially when brought to life on stage.
Family-friendly fun got its moment too, with Brainiac Live winning Best Family Show. If you’re hunting for an entertaining and educational outing with the kids, that one’s a no-brainer.
From powerhouse acting to magical musicals, innovative direction, and fresh choreography, the 2025 Olivier Awards proved that London theatre is still packed with brilliance. Whether you’re into classics, comedies, or new-edge productions, this year had something for every kind of theatre nerd.
Want to catch these award-winning performances live or stream the best of British theatre? Dive into the full lineup from the 2025 Olivier Awards and experience the magic yourself. Whether you’re a fan of gripping revivals like Oedipus or musical masterpieces like Fiddler on the Roof and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, there’s something for every theatre lover. Drop your favorite winner in the comments.
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Source:https://themusicessentials.com/entertainment/2025-olivier-awards-winners-see-the-full-list/