In a historic triumph for London's theatre scene, Paddington: The Musical has achieved an unprecedented feat by winning nine awards at the prestigious WhatsOnStage ceremony. This marks the first time a new West End musical has garnered such a high number of accolades, solidifying its status as a critical and audience favourite since its debut in December.
Record-Breaking Success for a Beloved Bear
Utilising cutting-edge animatronics to bring the iconic bear to life, the production has captivated both critics and theatregoers alike. The Guardian's theatre critic, Arifa Akbar, lauded the show as "utterly winning," comparing it to a new Mary Poppins for its imaginative staging and flawless performances. She particularly highlighted the "marvellous songs about marmalade" that add to its charm.
With this victory, Paddington: The Musical joins the ranks of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Miss Saigon as one of the three most awarded shows in the history of the WhatsOnStage awards. It also stands out as the most celebrated new musical in the ceremony's records.
Other Notable Winners at the Ceremony
The 26th edition of the awards, determined by public votes from theatre enthusiasts, saw several other productions shine. Evita, the musical exploring populism in 1940s Buenos Aires, secured five awards, including best performer for Rachel Zegler. Her portrayal of President Juan Perón's wife earned widespread praise, especially for an innovative balcony scene where she sang Don't Cry For Me Argentina to street passersby instead of the audience.
In the straight play categories, Richard II at the Bridge theatre in Bermondsey emerged as a top winner with two awards, such as best play revival. Jonathan Bailey triumphed as best performer in a play for his role as a "cocaine-snorting king of misrule," outshining competitors like Ncuti Gatwa and Tom Hiddleston.
Celebrating Theatre Excellence Across the UK
Les Misérables, marking its 40th year as the West End's longest-running musical, received the prestigious best West End show award. Regional productions were also honoured, with 13 Going on 30: The Musical at Manchester's Opera House winning best regional production, and Young Frankenstein at The Hope Mill taking best studio production.
The best new play award went to The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, produced by Mischief, known for The Play That Goes Wrong. Additional accolades included Stephen Fry winning best supporting performer in a play for The Importance of Being Earnest, Amber Davies for The Great Gatsby in the musical category, and Emma Kingston for best takeover in Wicked.
A new category, best child performance, was awarded for the portrayal of Young Thomas in The Land of the Living at the National Theatre, shared by Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Anton Vehring, and Artie Wilkinson-Hunt.
Technical and Creative Achievements
Paddington: The Musical's success extended beyond best new musical, with wins in multiple technical categories. These included best professional debut performance for Timi Akinyosade, best direction for Luke Sheppard, and awards for set design, costume design, sound design, wigs, hair and makeup, musical supervision, and casting direction.
Evita also excelled in technical aspects, securing awards for best musical revival, choreography, lighting, and video design. The services to UK theatre award was presented to playwright James Graham, recognised for works like Punch and adaptations such as Boys from the Blackstuff.
WhatsOnStage's Darius Thompson and Alex Wood commented, "The voters really did look after that Bear. Paddington's record-setting awards haul has firmly cemented it as a fan-favourite new addition to the West End." They thanked all participants for showcasing the enduring passion for theatre that continues to draw audiences nightly.
