The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2025 took place on Thursday 27 March, hosted by Mark Lawson. For the first time, the event was held at the National Theatre and backdropped by the theatre’s beautiful ‘Cathedral Windows’ in the events space outside the Olivier Theatre. Guests were served tea and cake on arrival and enjoyed a champagne reception after the awards presentation had taken place.
Credit: Joanne Davidson
We were also honoured to have Rufus Norris address the Critics’ Circle on his final day as Director of the National Theatre. “It feels almost poetically poignant that I have this opportunity to thank you for your dedication to this art form,” he said. “The relationship between artists and critics is one of the great enduring dynamics of theatre.”
The winners in full for work presented in 2024:
The Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance
Credit: Joanne Davidson
Danny Sapani for King Lear
Presented by Alexander Cohen
The Best Director Award
Credit: Joanne Davidson
Robert Icke for Oedipus
Presented by Rosemary Waugh
The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical
Fiddler on the Roof
Presented by Kate Maltby
Best Actor Award
Credit: Joanne Davidson
Mark Strong for Oedipus
Presented by Lucy Popescu
Most Promising Playwright
Credit: Joanne Davidson
Mark Rosenblatt for Giant
Presented by Tom Wicker
The Jack Tinker Award for Best Newcomer sponsored by Finito, the Employability Experts
Credit: Joanne Davidson
Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for Romeo and Juliet
Presented by Sarah Crompton
Best Actress
Lesley Manville for Oedipus
Presented by Tim Bano
Best Designer sponsored by Cabbells
Frankie Bradshaw for Dear Octopus and Ballet Shoes
Presented by Sarah Hemming
The Michael Billington Award for Best New Play
Giant by Mark Rosenblatt
Presented by Matt Wolf
The Empty Space Peter Brook Award for Innovative Venue
The Yard
Presented by Niki Marvin, Andrzej Lukowski and Dominic Cavendish
The Critics’ Circle Drama Section are particularly thankful to this year’s sponsors, Nyman Libson Paul, Cabbells, Finito and the Trewin Family.