As we filed into the Buffini Chao Deck at the top of the National Theatre yesterday lunchtime for the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2026, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation.
Which shows, performances and venues would gain the vote of the experts this year? For the first time, we voted on a longlist and shortlist of nominations – and yes a couple of my favourites made the cut.
And the winners are ….
Best New Play – James Graham for Punch (Young Vic/Apollo)
Best Revival of a Play or Musical – All My Sons (Wyndham’s)
Best New Musical – Paddington (Savoy)
Best Director – Ivo Van Hove for All My Sons – previous win for another Miller play, A View From The Bridge
Best Ensemble or Cast – Into The Woods (Bridge) – a new cast has just been announced
Most Promising Playwright – Ava Pickett for 1536 (Almeida) – at the Ambassadors from May
Best Actor – Brendan Gleeson for The Weir (Harold Pinter) – his West End debut at the age of 70, now in progress as a feature film
Best Actress – Rosamund Pike for Inter Alia (National) – her first stage role for 15 years, now in previews at Wyndham’s
Best Designer – Tom Scutt for Into the Woods
Best Shakespearean Performance – Hayley Atwell at Much Ado About Nothing (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
Best Newcomer – Ruby Asbourne-Serkis for Indian Ink (Hampstead)
In addition:
Empty Space Award – Red Rose Chain, Ipswich. This award is now named in memory of Blanche Marvin, a critic, who died earlier this year.
Photo credit: Joanne Davidson (awards); Johan Persson, Marc Brenner, Rich Gilligan and Manuel Harlan (composite). Header image my own.